Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Mackenzie Dern made her octagon debut over the weekend. Now fighters are coming forward with their reactions to the grappling ace’s first time under the UFC banner.
Mackenzie Dern is a former ADCC champion and a former No. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor. After taking over the world of BJJ, Dern decided to try her skills at the sport of mixed martial arts.
The BJJ phenom turned fighter was on an undefeated streak with a record of 5-0 when she finally made her way to the octagon. Following a win over Kaline Medeiros under the Invicta FC promotion, Dern earned a shot at Ashley Yoder on the UFC 222 fight card.
UFC 222 went down Saturday night, March 3, inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Dern faced off against Ashley Yoder in the night’s featured FS1 prelim, just shy of the live pay-per-view main card.
Dern and Yoder ultimately went the distance, with Dern earning a split decision victory over her opponent. Now fighters are coming forward with their thoughts over Dern’s performance.
Check out what many fighters had to say within the Twitter posts below:
Dern is a full figure women and I don't mind at all ????
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) March 4, 2018
Not a lot of technique on Dern's strikes, but she is closing distance and getting to the clinch position, which she wants, to eventually then get the TD. #ufc222
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 4, 2018
Buttcheeks #UFC222
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 4, 2018
Dern just learned why people throw straight punches. #ufc222
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 4, 2018
Mackenzie Dern ??? #ufc222
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) March 4, 2018
It's 1-1 going into the 3rd! #UFC222
— Marion Reneau (@BelizeanBruiser) March 4, 2018
Yoder was game. Great performance by Dern. #UFC222
— Matt Schnell (@DANGER_Caged) March 4, 2018
Great takedown and jiu jitsu defense from Yoder but Dern still did enough to win #UFC222
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) March 4, 2018
Great Fight ladies!! ??
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 4, 2018
Not sure who won that fight. Close one I feel. #UCF222
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 4, 2018
That was a really fun fight. Dern is still a little raw with a lot of tools. Really impressed with her power. Yoder ever improving as well and has had some really tough matchups so far in the ufc. #UFC222
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) March 4, 2018
Seems like Yoder can never get any love from the judges. All of her fights are so damn close!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) March 4, 2018
Can we all please take a minute to congratulate Yoder on an amazing performance. UFC hyped up Dern so much but Yoder didn't give a fuck and showed alot of holes in Dern's game. Well done ???? #UFC222
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) March 4, 2018
