On Saturday at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, Mackenzie Dern defeated Vilna Jandirova by unanimous determination with scores of 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 to win the vacant UFC girls’s strawweight title. The 32-year-old fighter’s victory over Jandiroba was his second straight victory over the Brazilian and his first UFC title in 9 years of MMA competitors.
Mackenzie Dern offers it his all after UFC 321 championship win
After her win, Dern shared her emotional response on social media, thanking her help system and acknowledging the magnitude of her accomplishment. She posted:
“UFC Strawweight World Champion! For some that is the tip, however for me it is only the start! Thanks to my coaches, managers, staff, household, associates and followers!! I’ve a lot to develop and get higher and I’ll work more durable day by day! Thanks Abu Dhabi! The place I gained two world titles! You might have a particular place in my coronary heart! Jiu-Jitsu Woman has made it to the highest! All of the glory” To God! 🌟🌟🌟”
The match itself confirmed Dern’s evolution as a combined martial artist. She fought a five-round struggle with Jandiroba, with Jandiroba trying 9 takedowns all through the competition. Regardless of receiving a number of takedowns, Dern managed his positioning on the bottom successfully and established a bonus within the hanging trade.
Based on official statistics, Dern had 247 whole strikes in comparison with Jandiroba’s 208, proving that her boxing has improved beneath the tutelage of famend hanging coach Jason Parrillo. Regardless of Jandiroba’s tactical wrestling method, this vital benefit proved decisive.
Dern’s path to championship gold has been a profession full of vital challenges and notable setbacks. After making her UFC debut in 2018, she confronted weight administration points that price her efficiency bonuses and drew criticism early on. Throughout this era, she posted a 1-3 report in her first 4 UFC fights, however struggled to handle her physique composition, dropping weight thrice in her first seven fights. From 2020 to 2024, Dern went by a very robust interval, profitable solely two of her six matches, which led to questions on her championship possibilities.
The turnaround started when she reunited with hitting coach Jason Parrillo and refined her general combating method. Dern defeated Amanda Rivas by submission in January 2025, extending her win streak to 3 straight wins, and is now in title consideration following Weili Zhang’s determination to vacate the strawweight title for a superfight with flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322 in November.
Past Dern’s accomplishments in MMA, Dern’s victory had historic significance throughout martial arts. She turned the primary lady to win an IBJJF World Championship, an ADCC World Championship, and a UFC title, making her the second athlete in historical past to perform this feat throughout Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most prestigious group, following Fabricio Werdum.
Previous to his MMA profession, Dern established himself as a grappling phenom, profitable world championships at each belt stage and profitable gold medals in each the GI and NO-GI codecs on the 2015 ADCC Championship and 2015 IBJJF World Championship. Her father, Wellington “Megaton” Diaz, himself a embellished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, performed a central position in her improvement from her childhood coaching.
For Dern, the occasion in Abu Dhabi meant greater than an opportunity to win the title. She gained the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship precisely 10 years in the past on April 25, 2015, defeating Gabi Garcia. This match was thought of one in all her signature grappling victories. Dern stated earlier than UFC 321 that he felt it was a coincidence that they’d struggle in the identical metropolis on October 25, 2025.
After asserting her victory, Dern entered the Octagon together with her 6-year-old daughter, Moa Dern Santos, for an thrilling second. Dern entrusted her UFC championship belt to her daughter and mirrored on how motherhood formed the trajectory of her profession in her post-fight remarks. She stated that all through her combating journey, her daughter’s presence motivated her efficiency within the cage and strengthened her resolve to beat earlier setbacks.
