World champion Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and rising UFC contender Mackenzie Dern has signed with Paradigm Sports, the leading name in representation for combat sports athletes.
Mackenzie Dern is currently ranked #6 in the UFC’s Strawweight division after defeating the previously ranked #5 contender, Nina Nunes, in early April this year. Her latest victory came via first-round submission by armbar, earning her a $50,000 Performance of the Night award. After improving her professional fighting record to 11-1, Dern’s next face-off will be against the #5 ranked Strawweight, Marina Rodriguez. Dern, a decorated submission specialist, versus Rodriguez, a notoriously dangerous striker, is a highly anticipated showdown between contrasting fighting styles.
Prior to her pursuit for UFC glory, Dern was an ADCC and BJJ world champion. Dern has proven her experience accrued through 75 grappling victories has carried over well into mixed martial arts. Her four submissions in the UFC are the most in the UFC Strawweight division and tied for the most submission wins among female UFC fighters.
Paradigm represents some of the biggest names in combat sports and multiple former world champions. As Dern tries to crack into the top 5 rankings in her division, having premier representation will be critical in negotiating compensation for her efforts. A win against a top-5 opponent would put Dern into serious talks as next in line to challenge the newly-crowned champion of the division, Rose Namajunas.