Mackenzie Dern on Taking Loss 4 Months After Daughter’s Birth With Ex-Husband

Ever had one of those moments where you’re doing your best, and then life throws a curveball? For Mackenzie Dern, that moment came on 12th October 2019, to be exact. That’s when Amanda Ribas handed her the first loss of her career. That’s got to sting, right? But how do you pick yourself up after that?

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Mackenzie opened up about how much she’s grown since then. “I think she [Amanda] is very similar to back then, so I think this will be like the best way to show the improvement,” the 115lbs contender said, talking about her upcoming rematch with her fellow Brazilian strawweight. But she also admitted that when they first fought, the odds were kind of stacked against her. “I knew also, too, coming back four months after the baby and everything, the chances to lose were a little bit higher,” Dern confessed.

The effects of postpartum were still pretty much fresh. Let that sink in for a moment! After giving birth to her daughter on June 9th, 2019, she stepped into the UFC cage just four months later. Most people would be hesitant to take on such a big fight under those circumstances, right? But Mackenzie Dern wasn’t thinking about the odds. She was thinking about getting back in there, pushing through that moment, and not letting the time away or the “ring rust” form on her.

“I prefer to get in now that I have all this experience,” Mackenzie said, showing just how much she’s learned and evolved.  Now, she is ranked No. 6 in the UFC strawweight division, and she’s a far cry from the fighter she was back in 2019. “The record makes such a difference,” she said, knowing that being undefeated can carry a certain weight. But does the loss actually define her, or does it just add another layer to who she is as a fighter?

“It’s something that I really want to get back. I kind of want to erase that zero,” Mackenzie said. And that’s a feeling a lot of us can relate to. But let’s take a moment to look at the bigger picture. This isn’t just about the fight inside the cage. Mackenzie’s life has had its share of challenges outside of it too.

Mackenzie Dern’s struggles inside the Octagon and at home

Battling a divorce throughout 2022 and juggling motherhood, can you imagine trying to focus on your career while dealing with all that? It’s no small feat. She’s been open about her separation, and the toll it’s taken on her. “Literally, this whole fight is still paying my ex” she shared in an interview. Bringing to light a reminder that we all have battles we are fighting, whether it’s in the public eye or behind closed doors.

When you’re facing something like that, the last thing most people want to do is go out and get punched in the face for a living, right? But Mackenzie’s doing it anyway. She’s pushing through because she’s got a goal in mind. She’s not just fighting for herself. It’s a fight for her daughter, for her future, for everything she’s worked for.

With UFC Fight Night 249 on the horizon, the anticipation is real. Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas are about to throw down once again, both women, who are now firmly in the top 10 of the UFC strawweight division. The Brazilian has been through so much since that first fight, do you think this will be her moment to get revenge, or will Ribas prove that the first win wasn’t a fluke?

Since that loss to Ribas, Mackenzie switched and experienced a surge after their first fight. She won four consecutive bouts until mid-2021. But the momentum struggled to last, her career has since been a turbulent mix of wins and losses. She’s coming into this rematch with Ribas on the back of a unanimous decision victory over Loopy Godinez last year.

So, what do you think? Will Mackenzie get her revenge, or will Ribas have the upper hand again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!