Mackenzie Dern’s name has been synonymous with success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since her early days on the competition scene. Born into a martial arts family, with her father being renowned BJJ black belt Wellington “Megaton” Dias, Dern’s achievements in the sport are nothing short of exceptional. She has won numerous world championships and established herself as one of the most dominant female athletes in BJJ history. However, her transition into mixed martial arts has brought mixed results, and her recent performances in both MMA and BJJ have prompted speculation about what her future holds.
BJJ Legacy and Recent CJI Performance
Mackenzie Dern’s accolades in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are well-known. She has secured multiple IBJJF World Championships and ADCC titles, cementing her legacy as one of the most dominant grapplers of her generation (FloGrappling, 2021). However, her recent appearance at the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) resulted in a surprisingly quick submission loss to Ffion Davies. This result left many fans and analysts wondering what went wrong and whether it signals a shift in her grappling abilities.
While one loss does not tarnish her extensive BJJ career, it raises questions about her future involvement in submission grappling. Is Dern stretched too thin between her commitments in MMA and grappling? Is her grappling evolving to fit her MMA style, which may not always translate well to pure jiu-jitsu competitions? These are critical questions as she considers whether to focus on BJJ superfights, MMA, or perhaps a mix of both.
MMA Career: Growth or Plateau?
Mackenzie Dern’s transition to MMA in 2016 brought excitement and high expectations. As a decorated grappler with a polished ground game, many predicted that she would quickly rise to the top of the UFC strawweight division. Although Dern has shown flashes of brilliance, her MMA career has been marked by inconsistency. With a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 4 losses, she has faced challenges in areas such as striking and takedown defense, both of which are critical in MMA (Sherdog, 2023).
Dern’s MMA performances often highlight her strengths—her jiu-jitsu is among the best in the division—but also expose her weaknesses. Recent fights have shown improvements in her stand-up game, but questions linger about whether she can fully round out her skill set to become a title contender in a highly competitive division. Moreover, the physical and mental toll of maintaining a dual career in BJJ and MMA cannot be understated.
What Lies Ahead for Mackenzie Dern?
The future for Mackenzie Dern remains uncertain but full of possibilities. In grappling, she could return to her roots and focus solely on BJJ superfights, possibly even regaining her dominance in this arena. Her defeat in the CJI superfight is unlikely to define her grappling career, but it may push her to reevaluate her training and competition schedule.
In MMA, Dern’s next steps are pivotal. She may need to make significant adjustments to her striking and wrestling if she hopes to climb further in the UFC rankings. Whether she can evolve into a more well-rounded fighter or whether her jiu-jitsu will continue to be her primary weapon remains to be seen. Additionally, with the rise of organizations like the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Bellator, Dern could explore other opportunities outside of the UFC if she desires a change in competition or format.
One possibility is that Dern may choose to focus more heavily on one discipline—either grappling or MMA—while reducing her commitments in the other. This choice would allow her to dedicate more time to improving in specific areas of her game rather than juggling two demanding sports. On the other hand, if she continues to compete in both, she may find herself in a similar situation to now—successful but unable to fully capitalize on her immense talent in either sport.
Conclusion
Mackenzie Dern’s career is at a crossroads. With her immense talent and experience in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, the paths forward are varied and intriguing. Whether she chooses to focus on one sport or continue balancing both, Dern’s future remains a compelling topic of discussion. Her journey will be defined not only by her physical abilities but also by her mental fortitude and decision-making as she navigates the next phase of her career.
While it is impossible to predict with certainty what the future holds for Mackenzie Dern, one thing remains clear—her impact on the worlds of BJJ and MMA will not soon be forgotten. The question now is: where will she make her mark next?
References
FloGrappling. (2021). Mackenzie Dern’s astonishing BJJ career. FloSports. https://www.flograppling.com/articles/6724218-mackenzie-derns-astonishing-bjj-career
Sherdog. (2023). Mackenzie Dern fighter profile. Sherdog. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mackenzie-Dern-187315
