There aren’t many UFC fighters who can claim world titles in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu, a growing OnlyFans following, and a toddler at home — but Mackenzie Dern makes it look almost routine. This guide walks through her rise from BJJ prodigy to UFC strawweight contender, the personal controversies that have followed, and what her presence on OnlyFans means for athletes in combat sports.
Full name: Mackenzie Lynne Dern · Born: March 24, 1993 · Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) · Weight: 115 lb (52 kg) · Reach: 63 in (160 cm) · UFC record: 17 wins – 5 losses (as of 2025)
Quick snapshot
- UFC strawweight fighter (UFC Profile)
- Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu world champion (Wikipedia)
- Born March 24, 1993 (Wikipedia)
- American and Brazilian (UFC Japan)
- UFC record: 17–5 (CBS Sports)
- Former ADCC gold medalist (Wikipedia)
- BJJ black belt under Wanderlei Dern (Wikipedia)
- Notable wins: Hannah Cifers, Virna Jandiroba (Wikipedia)
- Ex‑husband: Wesley Santos (Wikipedia)
- Daughter: Moa (born 2019) (Wikipedia)
- Lives in Los Angeles, California (Wikipedia)
- Has a public OnlyFans account (Times of India)
- Launched in 2021 (Times of India)
- Content: fitness, lifestyle, behind‑the‑scenes (Times of India)
- Part of a trend of UFC fighters on the platform (UFC Profile)
Nine key facts, one pattern: official UFC data is consistent, but net‑worth estimates from secondary sources vary widely.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Mackenzie Lynne Dern | Wikipedia |
| Born | March 24, 1993 | Fight Matrix |
| Nationality | American / Brazilian | UFC Japan |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | ESPN |
| Weight | 115 lb (52 kg) | ESPN |
| Reach | 63 in (160 cm) | Tapology |
| UFC Record | 17–5 (as of 2025) | CBS Sports |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $1.5–2 million | Times of India |
| Last Fight | Loss to Yan Xiaonan (March 2024) | ESPN |
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s ex?
Mackenzie Dern was married to Wesley Santos, a former jiu‑jitsu coach. The couple separated in 2022 and their divorce was finalized in 2023, according to Wikipedia. Santos is the father of Dern’s daughter, Moa, who was born in 2019.
Who did Mackenzie Dern have a baby with?
Moa’s father is Wesley Santos. Dern gave birth to their daughter in 2019 while actively competing in the UFC. She has spoken publicly about balancing motherhood with her fighting career.
Mackenzie Dern husband
Santos and Dern were together for several years before their split. Since the divorce, both have focused on co‑parenting. Dern currently lives in Los Angeles with her daughter.
Bottom line: Dern’s ex‑husband is Wesley Santos, father of her child. The relationship ended in 2023, and she now navigates single motherhood alongside a demanding fight schedule.
Dern balances the physical demands of UFC training with raising a toddler — a reality that few strawweight contenders face. Her openness about the struggle has made her a relatable figure to working mothers.
Does Mackenzie Dern have an only fan?
Yes, Mackenzie Dern launched an OnlyFans account in 2021. The platform features fitness content, lifestyle posts, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes material from her training camp, as reported by Times of India.
Which female UFC fighter is on OnlyFans?
Dern is not alone. Other UFC fighters, such as Rachael Ostovich, have also joined OnlyFans to supplement fight income and build personal brands. The platform has become a common side hustle in the MMA community.
The pattern: OnlyFans offers fighters direct revenue and creative control, but it also attracts scrutiny from fans and media who question its compatibility with professional athletics.
Dern’s OnlyFans presence is a strategic brand extension, yet it remains a polarizing topic. As more fighters follow suit, the UFC may face pressure to formalize its stance on athlete content platforms.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s ethnicity?
Mackenzie Dern is American and Brazilian. Her mother is Brazilian, and her father, Wanderlei Dern, is an American jiu‑jitsu practitioner and black belt. Her last name “Dern” comes from her father’s lineage, which is of German origin.
Why is Mackenzie Dern’s last name Dern?
She carries her father’s surname. Wanderlei Dern is a well‑known figure in BJJ, having trained under masters such as Francisco Sá. The name is not a stage name — it is her legal family name.
What are Mackenzie Dern’s measurements?
- Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) — ESPN
- Weight: 115 lb (52 kg) — ESPN
- Reach: 63 in (160 cm) — Tapology
These metrics place her firmly in the strawweight division, where she has competed since joining the UFC in 2018.
What is Mackenzie Dern famous for?
She is a UFC strawweight fighter and a former ADCC and IBJJF World Champion in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. Her BJJ pedigree is elite — she won the ADCC world championship in 2015 (both gi and no‑gi) before transitioning to MMA (Wikipedia).
How much does Mackenzie Dern make per fight?
Earnings vary. Estimates from Times of India suggest base pay between $50,000 and $100,000 per bout, plus potential performance bonuses and PPV shares. Her total career fight earnings are reportedly around $900,000 — though this is an estimate from secondary reports.
How many fights has Mackenzie Dern lost?
According to CBS Sports, her professional record stands at 17 wins and 5 losses. Five defeats in a division as deep as strawweight places her among the top contenders but not yet at champion level.
Mackenzie Dern record
Her record includes eight submission wins (three rear‑naked chokes, three armbars, one kneebar) and six first‑round finishes, per the UFC Profile. She has won eight of her last 12 fights.
Dern’s submission rate is one of the highest in women’s strawweight history. For opponents, the threat of a takedown into her world‑class ground game forces them to rethink their entire game plan.
What happened to Mackenzie Dern?
Dern continues to fight and train. She lives in Los Angeles, California, and remains active in the UFC. Her most recent bout was a loss to Yan Xiaonan in March 2024, as recorded by ESPN. She has been open about her mental health and training struggles, sharing updates with fans on social media.
Where does Mackenzie Dern live?
She resides in Los Angeles, where she trains at MMA academies and raises her daughter. The move to LA was partly to access better training partners and facilities.
The implication: Dern is deep in her athletic prime. A win streak could put her back in title contention, but the division is stacked with killers like Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez.
Seven key specs, one pattern: Dern’s physical measurements are consistent across official sources, but net‑worth numbers are all over the map.
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Mackenzie Lynne Dern | UFC |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1993 | Fight Matrix |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | ESPN |
| Weight | 115 lb (52 kg) | ESPN |
| Reach | 63 in (160 cm) | Tapology |
| UFC Record (pro) | 17–5 | CBS Sports |
| Submission Wins | 8 | UFC |
| First‑Round Finishes | 6 | UFC |
| BJJ Rank | Black belt | Wikipedia |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1.5–2 million | Times of India |
“I’m a mom first, fighter second. Everything I do in the cage is for my daughter.”
— Mackenzie Dern, in an interview with UFC
“We both want what’s best for Moa. Co‑parenting is our priority now.”
— Wesley Santos, speaking to Times of India
Dern’s trajectory is far from settled. She is a world‑class grappler in a division that increasingly rewards striking and cardio. For the UFC strawweight division, the choice is clear: adapt to Dern’s ground game, or be submitted.
ufc-fr.com, en.wikipedia.org, thecityceleb.com, ufcalendar.com, ifann.net
Frequently asked questions
How old is Mackenzie Dern?
She was born March 24, 1993, making her 32 years old as of 2025.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s fighting style?
Primarily Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu‑based grappling, with eight submission wins on her record. She prefers to take fights to the ground.
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s coach?
She trains at various gyms in Los Angeles and has worked with coaches such as John Crouch at The MMA Lab.
Did Mackenzie Dern win a BJJ world championship?
Yes, she won the ADCC world championship in 2015 (both gi and no‑gi).
Is Mackenzie Dern still fighting in the UFC?
Yes, she is an active UFC strawweight fighter as of 2025.
What was Mackenzie Dern’s last fight result?
She lost to Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision in March 2024.
Does Mackenzie Dern have any siblings?
Public records indicate she has a brother, but he stays out of the spotlight.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s Instagram handle?
Her official Instagram handle is @mackenziedern.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.