UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern showcased her skills beyond the octagon by securing a notable win at a celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas. The Brazilian-American Jiu-jitsu specialist proved she’s equally adept at reading opponents across the poker table.
Dern’s foray into the world of high-stakes gambling paid off handsomely as she clinched fourth place in a No Limit Texas Hold’em tournament at the Wynn casino. The event, which attracted approximately 140 players, featured a buy-in of $500 and boasted a total prize pool of $60,000.
Despite being relatively new to competitive poker, Dern demonstrated remarkable acumen, outplaying many seasoned opponents. Her fourth-place finish netted her an impressive $5,207, a testament to her quick learning and adaptability.
Interestingly, this tournament marked only Dern’s second venture into organized poker competitions. Her poker debut occurred just a day prior when she participated in a Celebrity Poker Tour event, also held in Las Vegas.
While Dern’s poker exploits have garnered attention, fans of her mixed martial arts career need not worry. The seventh-ranked UFC strawweight is set to return to her primary arena on December 14th. She’s scheduled to face off against fellow Brazilian Amanda Ribas in Tampa, Florida, in a highly anticipated rematch from their 2019 bout.
Dern’s success at the poker table adds another dimension to her already impressive repertoire of skills. It remains to be seen whether she’ll continue to pursue poker as a side interest, but her performance certainly suggests she has a knack for the game.
