After Back-to-Back Losses, Mackenzie Dern Adopts a Composed Fighting Style Aiming for Success in UFC Abu Dhabi.
When you step into the Octagon with another elite athlete wearing four-ounce gloves, you're already beyond conventional safety and fear. For fighters like Mackenzie Dern, it's tempting to just bite down on the mouthpiece and brawl. While that may seem easier, the true challenge lies in maintaining composure, sticking to technique, and adhering to a game plan. Dern believes she has made significant strides in these areas ahead of her return against Loopy Godinez at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.
Since joining the UFC roster in March 2018, Dern has built a reputation based on her exceptional jiu-jitsu skills, toughness, and grit. Whether the fight goes to the mat or not, Dern is always moving forward, never quits, and doesn't mind taking damage as long as she can deliver some of her own. However, after three losses in her last four fights, particularly following her decision loss to former title challenger Amanda Lemos, she realized it was time to change her approach.
“It gave me confidence,” Dern shared in an interview with UFC.com. “It really pushed me to find what's missing. I think the only thing missing is taking a little less damage, which indirectly means being calmer and more observant. I now see that I have what it takes to get to the belt.”
However, executing this goal is easier said than done, especially against a formidable opponent like Godinez. Dern has never shied away from a brawl, as evidenced by the fact that half of her six performance bonuses were for Fight of the Night.
Despite her intentions, Dern knows that Godinez is always ready for a brawl, making it uncertain whether she will stick to her new approach or revert to old habits. Regardless of the fight's outcome, Dern is determined to get her hand raised and kickstart another run up the strawweight division, which is as open as ever.
As always, Dern is also driven to set a positive example for her daughter, Moa, who is in Abu Dhabi with her.
“Everyone wants that win,” she said. “That's what we train for. That’s our job. Getting that win, getting back on a winning streak, and especially winning with my daughter here means everything to me.”
Don’t miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2024. Prelims start at 12pm ET/9am PT, while the main card kicks off live on ABC, ESPN & ESPN+ at 3pm ET/12pm PT.