Mackenzie Dern (15-5) will be fighting for UFC gold for the first time in her professional mixed martial arts career on Saturday. She will be sharing the Octagon with Virna Jandiroba (22-3) in the UFC 321 co-main event. The bout will be contested for the vacant UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. Speaking to Newsweek Sports, Dern explained why holding UFC gold would mean more than an athletic achievement.

"I think the most is just having faith in God and not giving up," Dern said. "Taking the ups and downs is just part of self-maturity. I think winning that belt—sure, it would be like being a champion of the UFC, but I think it would be a champion in life. It would be more meaningful as, "Hey, I won in life.' My daughter will be here. Hopefully, I'll be able to raise her hand with m

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