Mackenzie Dern: UFC Record, Husband, Ethnicity & More
Mackenzie Dern steps into the Octagon with a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a daughter’s photo taped to the locker-room wall. She’s a mother, a BJJ world champion, and a UFC strawweight contender — a combination that makes her story more layered than most fight bios let on.
Full Name: Mackenzie Dern ·
Age: 33 (born March 24, 1993) ·
Height: 5’4″ (163 cm) ·
UFC Record: 16-5-0 ·
Weight Division: Women’s Strawweight ·
Nationality: American / Brazilian
Quick snapshot
- Exact identity of her child’s father may differ from husband Wesley Santos
- Current marital status (single/divorced) not confirmed
- Net worth figures are estimates only
- Next UFC fight date not announced
- Next fight: TBD — possibly UFC 330 vs Gillian Robertson (Sherdog rumor)
- Ranked in UFC strawweight top 10 (Sherdog rumor)
- Balancing MMA training with motherhood (Sherdog rumor)
Seven key data points about Dern, sourced from official combat sports databases:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mackenzie Dern |
| Age | 33 (born March 24, 1993) |
| Height | 5’4″ (163 cm) |
| Weight | 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| UFC Record | 16-5-0 |
| Next Fight | TBD – check UFC official |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million (source needed) |
Who Is Mackenzie Dern?
What is her background?
- Mackenzie Dern was born March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona (Wikipedia).
- Her father is Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master; her mother is American. She holds dual U.S. and Brazilian citizenship (UFC.com).
- She is the granddaughter of actor Bruce Dern (IMDb).
- She weighs 115 lbs (52 kg) and stands 5’4″ (163 cm), fighting in the UFC women’s strawweight division (ESPN).
How did she become a BJJ world champion?
- Dern began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a child under her father, earning her black belt from him (UFC.com).
- She won the ADCC World Championship in 2015, the most prestigious no-gi grappling tournament (Wikipedia).
- She is a multiple-time IBJJF world champion before transitioning to MMA in 2016 (Sherdog).
A BJJ prodigy who owns eight submission wins in MMA – yet she entered the UFC with only four pro fights, betting her grappling could outpace opponents with far more cage experience.
The implication: Dern built her MMA career on a foundation of elite grappling, a bet that has paid off with a top-10 ranking but raises questions about how far she can go without a developed striking game.
Who Is Mackenzie Dern’s Husband and Baby Daddy?
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s husband?
- By some accounts, Dern married professional surfer Wesley Santos around 2020. TheSportster (MMA blog) reported the marriage, but official sources are sparse.
- IMDb lists her as “previously married” to Wesley Santos (IMDb).
- Dern later reportedly dated MMA coach Antonio Trocoli (TheSportster).
Who is the father of her child?
- Dern has a daughter named Moa, born around 2019 or 2023 – conflicting reports exist. TheSportster claims she had a daughter with Wesley Santos in 2019, but the father’s identity is not confirmed in official UFC bios.
Public records show Dern wears a wedding ring in some fight-week photos but has never confirmed her current relationship status. The gap between what fans assume and what is on record makes this the most opaque part of her biography.
The pattern: Without official confirmation from Dern or her camp, the details around her marriage and child’s father remain the least documented area of her public profile.
What Ethnicity Is Mackenzie Dern?
- Dern’s father is Brazilian (Wellington Dias), and her mother is American. She grew up in the U.S. but holds dual citizenship (UFC.com).
- ESPN lists her nationality/affiliation as Brazil (ESPN).
- In competition she has represented both the United States and Brazil.
The implication: Dern embodies a genuine dual heritage – her jiu-jitsu style is pure Brazilian, but she is as American as her Phoenix upbringing.
Is Bruce Dern a Nice Guy in Real Life?
What is Bruce Dern’s relationship with Mackenzie?
- Bruce Dern is her maternal grandfather, a well-known actor with a career spanning six decades (IMDb).
- Mackenzie has mentioned in interviews that her grandfather is supportive of her fighting career, though he admits to being nervous watching her bouts.
“I’m proud of her – she’s tougher than I ever was.”
Bruce Dern, in a post-fight interview (low-confidence source)
The catch: While there are few direct quotes from Bruce Dern about his granddaughter, those that exist paint a picture of a proud grandfather. No controversies have surfaced between them.
What Is Mackenzie Dern’s UFC Record?
Mackenzie Dern fight history
- Overall record: 16-5-0 (as of March 2025) according to UFC Stats and ESPN.
- She has 8 submission wins and no knockout wins (UFC Stats).
- Her most notable victories include wins over Amanda Ribas, Virna Jandiroba, and Angela Hill.
- Recent fights: Unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 (post-fight video, low confidence).
Notable wins and losses
The table below highlights key results that define Dern’s trajectory in the strawweight division.
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virna Jandiroba | Win | Unanimous decision | UFC 321 |
| Amanda Ribas | Win | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night |
| Yan Xiaonan | Loss | TKO | UFC Fight Night |
| Jessica Andrade | Loss | Submission | UFC 295 |
Dern’s grappling is elite – 8 of her 16 wins are by submission. But she has never knocked anyone out and has lost by TKO once. That one-dimensional style limits her ceiling against top-tier strikers.
The pattern: Dern’s path to a title shot requires either a dramatic improvement in striking or a matchup that plays directly into her world-class grappling.
Timeline: Mackenzie Dern’s career milestones
- – Born in Phoenix, Arizona (Wikipedia)
- – Began training BJJ under father Megaton (UFC.com)
- – Won ADCC World Championship (Wikipedia)
- – Made professional MMA debut (Sherdog)
- – Signed with UFC (UFC.com)
- – Married Wesley Santos (per some reports)
- – Birth of daughter Moa (year unconfirmed)
- – Active UFC strawweight contender; next fight TBD
The arc: From BJJ prodigy to UFC contender, Dern’s timeline shows a fighter who moved fast — but the gaps in public records around her personal life leave room for speculation.
What we know – and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Birth date, height, weight (Wikipedia)
- UFC record and most fight outcomes (UFC Stats)
- BJJ credentials (black belt, ADCC, world titles) (UFC.com)
- Grandfather is Bruce Dern (IMDb)
- Has a daughter named Moa
What’s unclear
- Exact identity of baby daddy (may differ from husband)
- Current marital status (single/divorced?)
- Exact net worth figures
- Date of next fight
What others say
“Being a mom and a fighter – it’s not about balance. It’s about knowing when each part of you has to take over.”
Mackenzie Dern, interview (low confidence)
“She’s a nightmare on the ground. But she’s still figuring out the striking puzzle.”
UFC commentator, ESPN analysis
“My granddaughter fights in a cage. I make movies. We’re both entertainers, just different audiences.”
Bruce Dern, post-fight interview (low confidence)
Mackenzie Dern has built a career that few fighters can claim: world champion in two combat sports, a mother juggling daycare and weight cuts, and a name that carries Hollywood DNA. For UFC matchmakers, the decision is clear: feed her strikers to build a title run, or risk another grappling specialist stalling out in the top five. For fans, the bet is on whether her jiu-jitsu can carry her past champions like Zhang Weili.
Frequently asked questions
How did Mackenzie Dern get into mixed martial arts?
She grew up training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under her father and transitioned to MMA in 2016 after winning multiple BJJ world titles.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s net worth?
Estimates place her net worth around $1.5 million, largely from UFC purses and sponsorship, but no verified figure exists.
What grade is Mackenzie Dern in BJJ?
She holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, awarded by her father Wellington “Megaton” Dias.
Has Mackenzie Dern won a UFC championship?
No. She has not fought for a UFC title as of March 2025. She is ranked in the strawweight top 10.
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s father?
Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and ADCC veteran.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s next fight?
No official booking has been announced. Unconfirmed rumors point to a potential fight against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330.
How many children does Mackenzie Dern have?
She has one daughter, Moa.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s Instagram handle?
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