Few fighters in the UFC embody two cultures as seamlessly as Mackenzie Dern. Born in Arizona but raised between the deserts of the American Southwest and the beaches of Brazil, the 32-year-old strawweight contender has long blurred the line between both worlds. Her accent may sound Brazilian, her passport says American, and her fighting style? A mix of both!

Dern’s roots run deep in martial arts. The daughter of BJJ legend Wellington ‘Megaton’ Dias, she began rolling on the mats before most kids learned to read. Today, she’s not only one of the most decorated grapplers in MMA but also a top UFC contender preparing to face Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 for the vacant strawweight title. But where exactly does Mackenzie Dern come from? Let’s trace her journey from Arizona to Rio and beyond!

Is

See Full Page