Makenzie Dern

Mackenzie Lynne Dern (born March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona) is one of the most accomplished and celebrated female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belts of her generation. A former world number-one ranked IBJJF competitor and an ADCC Champion, Dern successfully transitioned her world-class grappling pedigree into a high-profile career as an elite strawweight contender in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) global circuit.

Early Life & BJJ Royalty
Dern was born into the absolute highest echelons of the Jiu-Jitsu community. She is the daughter of the legendary Wellington “Megaton” Dias—a iconic black belt renowned for competing in every single IBJJF World Championship since its inception—and the stepdaughter of accomplished athlete Luciana “Luka” Dias.

Accompanying her parents to the academy from the time she was a baby, Dern officially stepped onto the mats to practice the “gentle art” at just three years old. Growing up as a natural athlete, she also competed heavily in Judo tournaments throughout her youth to ensure her takedown and throwing mechanics remained razor-sharp.

Domination of the Colored Belts
By age 14, Dern made the pivotal decision to dedicate her entire focus to becoming a professional martial artist. She subsequently put together one of the most flawless competitive records in the history of the sport’s lower ranks.

Dern achieved the astonishing feat of winning the IBJJF World Championship at every single belt rank on her journey to the top (spanning consecutive blue, purple, and brown belt titles). Guided under the meticulous eye of her father, as well as legendary multi-time world champions Royler Gracie and Letícia Ribeiro, Dern was awarded her black belt in December 2012, just months before her 20th birthday.

Black Belt Supremacy
Dern’s arrival in the adult black belt division was immediate and explosive. In January 2013, she won her debut black belt super-fight against seasoned veteran Luiza Monteiro at Copa Podio, quickly following it up with a gold medal at the European Open.

Competing primarily in the Peso Pena (Featherweight) division, Dern became famous for her dynamic open guard and an exceptionally aggressive submission hunt, heavily utilizing toe holds and rear-naked chokes. Her competitive peak arrived in 2015, a historic calendar year where she captured the “Triple Crown” of grappling by winning the IBJJF World Championship, the No-Gi World Championship, and the prestigious ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.

Main Grappling Achievements
ADCC World Champion: 1st Place (2015)

IBJJF World Champion (Gi): 1st Place (2015)

IBJJF World No-Gi Champion: 1st Place (2015*) (Absolute)

AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion: 1st Place (2015, 2016) *(*Weight and Absolute)

IBJJF Pan American Champion: 1st Place (2015, 2016)

IBJJF European Open Champion: 1st Place (2015, 2016)

Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
After conquering the submission grappling world, Dern shifted her focus toward Mixed Martial Arts. Making her professional debut in 2016, she utilized her elite ground transitions to overwhelm opponents, racking up an impressive undefeated regional run.

Her mainstream star power and world-class credentials quickly caught the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Signing with the promotion in 2018, Dern quickly evolved into a staple of the UFC’s strawweight division, showcasing a heavily improved striking game to complement her historically dangerous submission threat.

Legacy
Boasting a staggering 60% submission finish rate during her professional grappling career, Mackenzie Dern stands as an iconic pioneer who bridged the gap between traditional Jiu-Jitsu lineage and modern mainstream sports stardom. Her charismatic personality, paired with an uncompromisingly aggressive fighting style, has cemented her legacy as one of the most influential female martial artists of the 21st century.