# Mackenzie Dern ("Kenzie")

> Black Belt | Brazil

## Overview

**Name:** Mackenzie Dern

**Nickname:** Kenzie

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** Brazil

**Gender:** Female

**Weight:** 65 kg


## Bio

Mackenzie Dern was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 24, 1993.

Being the daughter of one of the top BJJ black belts in the world, Dern started accompanying her father to the family’s jiu-jitsu school from the time she was a baby, and by the age of 3, she was already practicing the gentle art with both her father and her stepmother Luciana Tavares.

Dern started competing at a very young age. With the experience gathered from starting as a toddler, she quickly dominated the kids’ grappling scene in the local circuit. Being a natural at sports, Mackenzie Dern also competed in judo tournaments to keep her throwing techniques sharp. During her early teens (14), Dern decided to dedicate her full attention to the sport and then become a professional athlete.

With a ton of talent, and the care of tremendous coaches such as her father, Wellington Dias, and Leticia Ribeiro, Dern won the world championship in every belt on her way to black belt, a degree she reached before her 20th birthday.

Mackenzie Dern’s first fight as a black belt came in the shape of a super fight against a seasoned veteran of the sport, Luiza Monteiro, at the Copa Podio in January 2013, a fight Mackenzie won conclusively with an 8×2 scoreboard, moving on to fight at the European Open just a few weeks later, winning her weight division and cementing her name as one of the top featherweight black belts in the world.

Banner picture by BJJPix.com

Mackenzie Dern vs Angela Wilson (2012)

Mackenzie Dern vs Sophia Drysdale (2012)

Mackenzie Dern vs Lora Hallock (2013)
## Specialties

- open guard
## Achievements

- 1st Place ADCC Championship (2015)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championships (2015)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championships NO-GI (2015*)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan American Championships (2016/2015)
- 1st Place FIVE Super League Championships (2015)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016/2015)
- 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2015**/2016)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championships (2012** brown, 2011 purple, 2010/2009/2008 blue)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championships (2012/2011** brown, 2010/2009 blue + purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan American Championships (2012 brown, 2011 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2012 brown, 2011** purple, 2010 blue)
## Lineage

- Carlos Gracie (Red Belt)
- Hélio Gracie (Red Belt)
- Royler Gracie (Coral Belt)
- Wellington Dias (Black Belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/mackenzie-dern)