Grappling star Mackenzie Dern announces her switch to MMA

When it comes female jiu-jitsu, there is no athlete as popular and dominant as Mackenzie Dern. At this summer’s ADCC in Sao Paulo, Dern worked her way to gold in her weight class. Mackenzie Dern comes from a strong lineage of jiu-jitsu greatness, Her father, “Megaton” Dias, an accomplished black belt, worked diligently with Dern from an early age. In her early teens, Dern emerged onto the scene as one of the most gifted proteges of her generation, earning a black belt at the tender age of 19.

Dern competes at 129lbs in jiu-jitsu but it is likely she will make the cut to strawweight when she does decide to take a fight. At just 22, Mackenzie Dern enters the sport young enough to have viable career and by working with current UFC fighters like Lauren Murphy she will surely pick things up quickly. Dern isn’t the only grappling star to announce MMA aspirations in recent times, Garry Tonon also announced his plans to switch from the mats to the cage just weeks ago.