Mackenzie Dern is off to a scorching start to her professional mixed marital arts (MMA) career, going 7-0 including winning her first two fights inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon.
Though it’s not to say that the jiu-jitsu ace hasn’t had her fair share of troubles, specifically when it comes to making weight. In three of her seven fights, Dern has come in heavy on the scale, including missing weight by a whopping seven pounds her last time out at UFC 224.
While she did prove victorious, submitting Amanda Cooper in the very first round, the massive scale fail wasn’t a good look. But don’t expect her to move up to Flyweight, as ESPN’s Ariel Helwani recently reported that sources close to Dern have stated she will remain at 115-pounds.
Considered one of the hottest prospects in all of women’s MMA, Dern does have the chance to become a massive superstar if she keeps racking up the wins. However, another hiccup on the scale could hurt her stock (and purse), and eventually leave her no choice but to move up.
Nevertheless, Mackenzie looks to return to action in March, and there are several events lined up already that she can land on. Care to offer up a few suggestions as to who her next challenge should be?