Career Timeline of Mackenzie Dern: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mackenzie Dern, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mackenzie Dern is a prominent American and Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She competes in the UFC's women's strawweight division and has achieved significant recognition in both MMA and BJJ. Dern formerly held the world no. 1 ranking in IBJJF and currently holds the 5th position in the UFC women's strawweight rankings as of August 2025. She has an ADCC and no gi BJJ world champion.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 2012: Promotion to Black Belt

In December 2012, Mackenzie Dern was promoted to black belt by her father, three months before her 20th birthday.

November 2017: Signing with Invicta Fighting Championship

In November 2017, after achieving a 4-0 record in her first four professional fights, Mackenzie Dern signed with Invicta Fighting Championship.

December 8, 2017: Invicta FC Debut

On December 8, 2017, Mackenzie Dern made her Invicta debut at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedzwiedz against Kaline Medeiros, winning via armbar in round three.

March 3, 2018: UFC Debut

On March 3, 2018, Mackenzie Dern made her promotional debut against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222, winning the fight via split decision.

May 12, 2018: Fight Against Amanda Cooper at UFC 224

On May 12, 2018, Mackenzie Dern faced Amanda Cooper at UFC 224. Dern weighed in at 123 pounds, exceeding the strawweight limit, and was fined 30% of her purse. Despite this, Dern won the fight via submission in the first round.

October 12, 2019: Fight Against Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN+ 19

On October 12, 2019, after a maternity leave, Mackenzie Dern faced Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN+ 19, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

April 25, 2020: Scheduled Fight Against Ariane Carnelossi

On April 25, 2020, Mackenzie Dern was expected to face Ariane Carnelossi at UFC Fight Night 173, but Carnelossi withdrew due to travel restrictions.

May 30, 2020: Fight Against Hannah Cifers at UFC on ESPN

On May 30, 2020, Mackenzie Dern faced Hannah Cifers at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns, winning the fight with a first-round kneebar and earning her first Performance of the Night award. She was the first woman to finish a fight by any form of leg lock in UFC history.

September 19, 2020: Fight Against Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night 178

On September 19, 2020, Mackenzie Dern faced Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night 178, winning the fight via submission in the first round and earning her second straight Performance of the Night award.

December 12, 2020: Fight Against Virna Jandiroba at UFC 256

On December 12, 2020, Mackenzie Dern faced Virna Jandiroba at UFC 256, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

April 10, 2021: Fight Against Nina Nunes at UFC on ABC 2

On April 10, 2021, Mackenzie Dern faced Nina Nunes at UFC on ABC 2, winning the bout via first round armbar and earning a Performance of the Night award.

October 9, 2021: Fight Against Marina Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 194

On October 9, 2021, Mackenzie Dern faced Marina Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 194, losing the fight via unanimous decision, but earning the Fight of the Night award.

April 9, 2022: Fight Against Tecia Torres at UFC 273

On April 9, 2022, Mackenzie Dern defeated Tecia Torres in a close bout by split decision at UFC 273.

October 1, 2022: Fight Against Yan Xiaonan at UFC Fight Night 211

On October 1, 2022, Mackenzie Dern faced Yan Xiaonan at UFC Fight Night 211. She lost the bout via majority decision.

May 13, 2023: Fight Against Angela Hill at UFC on ABC 4

On May 13, 2023, Mackenzie Dern was scheduled to face Angela Hill at UFC on ABC 4, but the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 223 one week later. She won the fight via unanimous decision and earned the Fight of the Night award.

November 11, 2023: Fight Against Jéssica Andrade at UFC 295

On November 11, 2023, Mackenzie Dern faced former UFC Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade at UFC 295, losing the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.

February 17, 2024: Fight Against Amanda Lemos at UFC 298

On February 17, 2024, Mackenzie Dern faced Amanda Lemos at UFC 298, replacing Tatiana Suarez. Dern lost by unanimous decision, but this fight earned her another Fight of the Night award.

August 3, 2024: Fight Against Loopy Godinez at UFC on ABC 7

On August 3, 2024, Mackenzie Dern faced Loopy Godinez at UFC on ABC 7. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

August 17, 2024: Superfight at Craig Jones Invitational

On August 17, 2024, Mackenzie Dern withdrew from the 2024 ADCC World Championship and competed against 2022 ADCC world champion Ffion Davies in a superfight at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. Dern lost the match by submission due to an armbar.

December 14, 2024: Scheduled Fight Against Amanda Ribas

On December 14, 2024, Mackenzie Dern was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 63, but the bout was moved to January 11, 2025.

2024: Return to Professional Grappling

In 2024, after 7 years away from the sport, Mackenzie Dern announced her return to professional grappling competition and was invited to compete in the under 55 kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship.

January 11, 2025: Fight Against Amanda Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249

On January 11, 2025, Mackenzie Dern faced Amanda Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249, winning the fight via an armbar submission at the end of the third round and earning a Performance of the Night award.

August 19, 2025: UFC Ranking

As of August 19, 2025, Mackenzie Dern is ranked no. 5 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

October 25, 2025: Scheduled Fight Against Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321

On October 25, 2025, Mackenzie Dern is scheduled to face former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion Virna Jandiroba in a rematch at UFC 321 for the vacant UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.