While the Nogi Worlds just ended one name notably absent was Mackenzie Dern. Dern has long contemplated deciding between the competitive BJJ world and MMA.
The multiple time bjj world champion recently revealed she’s had talks with the most prestigious MMA organization around:
“My manager has had contact with the UFC — with several organizations, in fact,” Dern said. “So, yes, we’ve already had talks with the UFC, but there is nothing confirmed as far as a debut in the UFC yet. That’s all I can say about that.” – Dern told flocombat adding:
“I’m really looking forward to what’s going to happen in 2018. For now, I’m going to stay in the U.S. because I don’t know what next year will bring. If I end up with the UFC, then I’ll stay in the U.S., but I’ll come to Brazil whenever I can. My ultimate goal is to be UFC champion and to have that belt.”
Her game is also changing which can be challenging when it comes to only grappling as evidenced by the ADCC upset:
“I think my game is maturing a lot,” Dern said. “In my first fight, I didn’t finish my opponent, and neither in my third fight. I’m trying to mix it up a lot, and I think I’m really growing a lot as an athlete and a fighter. I’m maturing, and my team is helping me a lot with that. I continue to train jiu-jitsu every day, same with standup. I think we’re on the right track.
“I feel that with every fight, I’m getting more confident, and that’s very important for an athlete and makes all the difference. So, if I continue like this, with confidence and an open mind, I think it’ll be all right.”
Dern has caught a lot of flack over the years for the change her speaking has gone through
She explains training in Brazil just soothes her more:
“I wanted to train in Brazil, not because I believe the training is better than in the United States, but my connection to Rio de Janeiro is something that makes me very happy. Where I live in Arizona, it’s a desert. So, I’m going home from the gym and from home to the gym. It’s very tiresome… I love this wonderful city that is Rio. “
