Abu Dhabi, UAE- Abu Dhabi has always held a special place in the heart of new UFC strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern. It was here in the UAE capital 10 years ago where the Brazilian-American first claimed global prominence as a jiu-jitsu black belt. And a few days ago, back in the emirate but this time inside the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi proved to be the city where she reached the biggest milestone of her combat sports career.
Dern battled fellow Brazilian Virna Jandiroba in the co-main event of UFC 321 for the vacant strawweight title. After five testing rounds, Dern had her hand raised, becoming the first woman to win a UFC title in the Middle East.
“There’s honestly no better place I could have imagined winning my first belt,” said Dern after being handed the title inside the MMA octagon on October 25. “I’m so proud to be the first woman to win a title here, it feels incredible. Abu Dhabi will always be a special part of my life; it will always be part of my story.”
It’s a story that dates back to April 25, 2015, when Dern won her first world title at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, adding a second a year later. Back then, she was a rising jiu-jitsu prodigy with impressive technique and a win it all mindset that made her a fan favourite inside the Mubadala Arena.
Now, nine years later, she leaves the UAE capital as a world champion once again.
“I’m the first woman to ever win a belt, a title in Abu Dhabi,” said the 32-year-old. “Abu Dhabi has a special place in my heart. I wanna come back all the time.”
For Dern, it all feels written in the stars, right down to the day of the month. “It’s kind of a full circle moment – 100 per cent,” she said. “I was talking about it at the start of the year before I fought Amanda Ribas. I said: ‘Man, could you imagine if I fight for the belt in 2025 and I win the world title?’ You know, I won the world title in jiu-jitsu in 2015 and then, like, exactly 10 years later…
“[So] I was already imagining how crazy this would be. And it really did happen. I mean, you can’t plan things like that – like the exact day – the 25th – this location.”
Dern’s story mirrors Abu Dhabi’s own evolution in combat sports. From hosting the world’s best jiu-jitsu athletes every year at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship to now being a global MMA hub, the city continues to shape champions and inspire the next generation.
