M. Dern is on a four-fight winning streak in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Ready to have her first fight in 2021, Mackenzie dern will have a tough commitment this Saturday (10), at UFC Las Vegas 23. Opponent of nina nunes on the main card, the Brazilian will be able to make an important leap in strawweight (up to 52,1kg.), if she wins and, in an exclusive conversation with the SUPER FIGHTS, spoke about the confrontation. The fighter also spoke about her future career plans.
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Considered one of the great Brazilian promises for the division led by Weili Zhang, Mackenzie has been living up to expectations about her name. A legend in jiu-jitsu, Dern is riding on three consecutive victories and shows clear progress with each performance.
War in the last fight
Feared for her specialty in grappling, Mackenzie, before being confirmed as Nina's rival, underwent a great test in the octagon. In December 2020, the combatant waged a real war against Virna jandiroba and proved that he has been improving in his striking. The athlete then spoke about how important the victory over Bahia was for her resume.
“That fight (against Jandiroba) was the best thing that could have happened in my career. Virna brought me a strategy that I think most girls will do: 'take it to the decision, knock and leave, make me go after it'. It was good to show myself to the girls in the category. In the end, it's heart, determination, who wants more. This all makes a difference. I put pressure on, I had some adversity, like my broken nose and, in the third round, we both forgot our strategy and exchanged punches. In the end, we gained more respect from the girls”, said Mackenzie.
Next step: Nina Nunes
After winning the battle against Jandiroba, Dern, who has become known for her frequency in the octagon, spoke about preparing to perform approximately four months after the triumph. Her broken nose in December, the result of a knee from Virna, delayed her return to training, but the Brazilian ensured she was in great shape for the challenge against Nunes.
“I had my nose repaired. I went back to training, but it was four weeks before I could be punched in the face. I spent about two weeks with a helmet and then two and a half months without a helmet. The closer you get to your dreams, you don't want to take time off. Sometimes my coach asks me to rest, but you don't want to. I was already back at the gym when they offered me Nina. So I was happy to have an entire camp (training period), to focus on the same girl. This all counts. I brought my physical trainer from Brazil, Rogério Camões. He stayed with me for two months, in California. I gained muscle mass, which I had been missing since pregnancy. Only now, after four fights, did I feel it. Before, I was just focused on striking and my groundwork (jiu-jitsu). Now, I've overcome what I left behind when I got pregnant and I'm prepared for anything,” said Dern.
Nina's postpartum: advantage?
Promoted by the UFC as the 'Mommy Fight', Mackenzie knows that Nina, who gave birth to little Raegan – daughter with Amanda nunes – you may have difficulties in your first presentation after giving birth. The American returns to action six months later and Dern pointed out some aspects that she can explore, betting on her rival's lack of pace. It is worth remembering that the Brazilian went through a similar situation in 2019, when she returned to active duty four months after becoming Moa's mother.
“Only by fighting can you recover that (the rhythm). It could be pregnancy, injury, but this thing of taking a four-ounce punch (gloves), and 100%, no one does that in sparring (training). (…) One thing I felt in the fight against Amanda ribas, when I lost, it was because she was thinking faster, at the right time. You kind of forget that feeling, of taking a punch. Only by fighting can you win back. I believe that, in this first fight (for Nina), she won't get that back 100%. (…) It's something I'm going to explore a lot in her, put pressure on her and make her very uncomfortable. (…) Nobody cares if the person has an injury, if they are back from pregnancy. Nobody cared when I came back from pregnancy (laughs). I respect her and Amanda (Nunes) a lot. We even want to take a photo of our daughters together, but we are both chasing the dream. I felt that when I came back and I want to put my experience into this fight”, revealed the fighter.
Nina's Dangers
Aware that he will have a tough commitment ahead, Mackenzie analyzed the confrontation against Nunes. The Brazilian highlighted her opponent's qualities and explained where she might encounter difficulties.
“Nina has experience. She has five more fights than me, against high-level girls. She has already struggled with Claudia Gadelha, Carla esparza – who is a former champion -, the Tatiana Suarez placeholder image. She has the experience I'm trying to gain. (…) She has already been through this. She has the Amanda nunes, who is her wife. Even if it's not the same person, if you hang out with these people, you get that energy. You know what you need to be the best in the world. Nina has good takedown defense, reaction. She moves well when fighting. It will be difficult for me if she manages to use her experience.
Belt talk
Current number 11 in the strawweight rankings, Mackenzie could take an important leap forward if she wins this Saturday. If it happens, it will be difficult not to talk about a future title fight, as Nunes now occupies fifth place in the group. Dern, however, is cautious when talking about a title fight.
“I believe I'm ready for a title fight, but my trainer (Jason Parillo) says he would like one or two more fights first. He says I can easily beat the champion, if it's jiu-jitsu, but he wants me to be a professional from start to finish. (…) He, Parillo, will have his say on when he thinks I’m ready or not”, said the Brazilian.
Ideal outcome against Nina
Even showing more weapons, in addition to jiu-jitsu, Dern believes that, if everything goes well on Saturday, victory will come based on the 'gentle art'. The Brazilian even took a risk on when the outcome will happen against Nunes.
“I believe this fight will be a submission. I think it won't go past the second round and I believe with a 'Fight of the Night' bonus ($50), he concluded.
Athletes' history
At 28 years old, Dern is heading towards his 12th fight as a professional in MMA. Legend of jiu-jitsu, the Brazilian currently has 10 wins and one loss in the sport.
At 35, Nina will make her 17th clash in mixed martial arts. The American, who hasn't fought since June 2019, has 10 triumphs and six setbacks.
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