Mackenzie Dern marked a major milestone in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first woman to win a UFC title in the Middle East after defeating Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321.
The Brazilian-American claimed the vacant strawweight title in the co-main event at Etihad Arena on October 25, following five hard-fought rounds. It was a significant step in a career that began taking shape in the UAE a decade earlier.
Ten years after rising to jiu-jitsu stardom in the UAE capital, Dern returns to claim UFC gold on the same date
After the win Dern said:
“There’s honestly no better place I could have imagined winning my first belt. Abu Dhabi will always be a special part of my life; it will always be part of my story.”
In 2015, Dern captured her first world jiu-jitsu title at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, returning the next year to add a second. Back then, she was a rising black belt with a sharp game and a growing fan base.
Now, nine years later, she leaves the same city a UFC champion on the exact same day of the month.
“It’s kind of a full circle moment, 100 per cent. 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 can’t plan things like that, the exact day, the 25th, this location.”
Dern added:
“I’m the first woman to ever win a title in Abu Dhabi. I want to come back all the time.”
