Mixed martial arts star Mackenzie Dern has her sights set on grappling’s biggest stage – the ADCC World Championships. In a recent press conference, Dern discussed her goals for 2024. She said that she wants to win the UFC strawweight title and compete at ADCC later in the year.
Dern stated: “I would like to get the belt. I really believe even though I’m coming off a loss, I feel like I’m closer to the belt now, just [based] off where I’m at in my life and how much I can dedicate to training and focus on this and prepare for it. So, definitely the belt.”
“And also to just I mean… really working on stamping, like who I am in the fighting world, you know, the fight industry. I would like to make an appearance at the ADCC at the end of the year, come back and going to the ADCC, and that’s a competition that I won as a former champion. So it has a very special place in my heart.”
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Dern is no stranger to grappling success, having won both the ADCC and No-gi World Championships.
After transitioning to MMA in 2017, Dern has compiled a 13-4 record in the UFC. She also recently gave birth to her daughter Moa in 2019. With her personal life straightened out, the 29-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace is ready to return to the ADCC mats.
Dern also talked about wanting to motivate and inspire people.
“Just trying to work on that, see how many people I can try and inspire and motivate. I don’t know, create my line, you know, for woman. You know, I have like such a huge men’s fan base on my social media, you know. So just really trying to connect to the women too and, you know, the moms and that part too and grow that part. All mixed in with getting to the belt.”
Dern will first be focused on capturing UFC gold in 2024. But the chance to compete at ADCC and reconnect with her grappling roots will likely come later in the year. The next ADCC World Championships is scheduled to take place in September 2024.
