Introduction
Makenzie Lynne Dern Santos, born March 24, 1993, in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a Brazilian-American athlete renowned for her dominance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and her rapid rise in mixed martial arts (MMA). Over a 30‑year span from her first training session at age 3 to her ranking in May 2025, she has amassed over 20 major titles across grappling and MMA. As of October 2024, Dern is ranked #6 in the UFC women’s strawweight division, demonstrating her elite status at age 31.
Early Life and Background
- Birthdate: March 24, 1993
- Birthplace: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- First BJJ Training: Age 3 (1996)
- Languages: English and Portuguese (fluent)
Makenzie spent seasons in Phoenix, Arizona, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She began competing in regional BJJ events at age 8 (2001) and advanced to adult divisions by age 14 (2007). Her multicultural upbringing taught her discipline and adaptation, which helped her athletically.
| Year | Age | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | Began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons |
| 2001 | 8 | First regional BJJ tournament |
| 2005 | 12 | Debut in national BJJ championship |
| 2007 | 14 | Entered adult BJJ divisions |
| 2012 | 19 | Promoted to BJJ black belt |
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Career
Makenzie’s BJJ trajectory is defined by rapid belt promotions and unprecedented titles:
- World Championships Won: 7 (one at each belt level from white to black)
- ADCC No‑Gi World Titles: 2 (2015, 2017)
- IBJJF Major Gi Gold Medals: 5 (Worlds, Pans, Europeans, Brasileiros, Abu Dhabi)
By December 2012, just before turning 20, she achieved her black belt under her father’s guidance. Between 2013 and 2016, she secured 12 international gold medals. In 2016, she became the only female to claim gold at all five principal IBJJF Gi Championships.
| Year | Belt Level | Major Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Purple | IBJJF World Champion |
| 2010 | Brown | Pan Championship Gold |
| 2011 | Brown | European Championship Gold |
| 2012 | Black | IBJJF World Championship Gold |
| 2013 | Black | Brasileiro Gold |
| 2015 | Black | ADCC No‑Gi World Champion |
| 2017 | Black | ADCC No‑Gi World Champion |
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
- MMA Debut: January 2016 (age 22)
- UFC Contract Signed: August 2018 (age 25)
- Professional Record (as of June 2025): 15 wins, 5 losses
- Submission Wins: 9 by armbar, triangle, kneebar variations
Dern’s first professional fight saw a first‑round armbar victory. In her UFC debut on December 8, 2018, she submitted her opponent via kneebar at 2:54 of Round 1. Her striking has improved steadily, with 4 TKO performances by early 2025. A highlight came on January 18, 2025, when she avenged a past defeat by securing a third‑round armbar at 3:12 against a top‑10 ranked opponent.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round:Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2016 | Opponent A | Win | Armbar | 1:45 |
| Dec 8, 2018 | Opponent B | Win (UFC Debut) | Kneebar | 2:54 |
| Mar 12, 2020 | Opponent C | Loss | Unanimous Dec. | 3×5:00 |
| Jan 18, 2025 | Amanda Ribas | Win | Armbar | 3:12 |
| May 2025 (est.) | Opponent E | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2:30 |
Family and Training Legacy
Makenzie’s success is deeply rooted in her martial arts lineage:
-
Father: Wellington “Megaton” Dias
- Coral Belt (7th‑degree) in BJJ
- Judo Rank: 3rd‑degree black belt
- Competitive Span: 1996–2018 (16 consecutive World BJJ Championships)
-
Stepmother: Luciana Tavares
- BJJ Rank: Black belt since 2005
At their Phoenix training academy, the family teaches over 300 pupils monthly. Megaton’s academy has produced 20+ national winners. Luciana oversees the women’s program, which awards belts to over 100 practitioners.
| Family Member | Role | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington Dias | Head Instructor | 16 World Championships competed |
| Luciana Tavares | Women’s Program Director | 100+ female belts awarded |
| Makenzie Dern | Lead Competitor/Instructor | 20+ major titles across BJJ & MMA |
Personal Life and Public Profile
- Daughter: Moon Santos (born June 12, 2021)
- Residences: Scottsdale, Arizona; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Public Appearances (2024–2025): 12 live events; featured in 3 major interviews
- Social Media Reach: 1.2 million combined followers as of June 2025
In January 2025, Makenzie’s boudoir photoshoot led to a 30% uptick in her social engagement. She balances 5 weekly training sessions with family time, often bringing her daughter to the gym. She has delivered seminars in 8 countries between 2022 and 2025, educating over 2,000 practitioners on advanced grappling techniques.
Career Statistics Overview
| Category | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| BJJ Titles | 20+ | 7 World, 2 ADCC, 11 International |
| Professional MMA Fights | 20 | 15 W, 5 L |
| Submission Wins in MMA | 9 | Armbar (6), Triangle (2), Others (1) |
| Years as Black Belt (2025) | 12 | Since Dec 2012 |
| Seminar Attendees (2022–2025) | 2,000+ | Across 8 countries |
FAQ
Who is makenzie dern?
Born March 24, 1993, Makenzie Dern is a Brazilian-American athlete known for her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championships and top-10 UFC women’s strawweight ranking.
What are her major BJJ accomplishments?
She has won at least one world championship at each belt level, secured two ADCC No‑Gi world titles, and claimed gold in all five principal IBJJF Gi tournaments.
When did she start MMA? Her record?
Dern debuted in professional MMA in January 2016 and holds a record of 15 wins and 5 losses as of June 2025.
Who trained makenzie in martial arts?
She received coaching from her father, a 7th-degree BJJ coral belt, and her stepmother, a black belt since 2005.
Does makenzie have children?
Yes, she has one daughter named Moon, born June 12, 2021.
Where does she live and train?
She resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, and trains at her family’s academy, which hosts an average of 300 students per week.
