UFC 224: Mackenzie Dern misses weight, comes in at 123 lbs for strawweight bout

UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern weighed in at 123 lbs at the official weigh-ins for UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her goal was to make 116 lbs; the limit for non-title strawweight fights.

Dern, who is 6-0 as a pro, made her UFC debut just two months ago. In that fight, at UFC 222, she beat Ashley Yoder via split decision. That bout was contested at strawweight and Dern did make weight (116 lbs).

Dern’s past struggles with weight cuts are well documented. Prior to the UFC she competed in a flyweight (125 lbs) and catchweight bout (120 lbs). In her long, and decorated, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career she competed between 58 and 59 kgs (127 – 129 lbs) as well as in the Absolute category.

Among those expecting Dern to have a tough time making weight was her opponent Amanda Cooper. The former TUF finalist told Bloody Elbow earlier this week that she was prepared for Dern to “probably come in heavy.”

Cooper also joked that she was going to play a role in her opponent missing weight.

“I plan on leaving cookies outside her door every night because I’m sure she won’t be able to resist it. And that way I get 20 percent of her purse and still get to beat her up at home.”

Cooper also stated that no matter what Dern weighed in at she would still take the fight.

Despite Cooper’s previously stated intentions, it remains to be seen whether or not her fight with Dern will go on. Not only does Cooper have to accept the fight, but the Brazilian commission must also green-light the bout, which they may be reluctant to do if both fighters remain at dramatically different weights.

Stay tuned.