Mackenzie Dern Retains Strawweight Title: Felt She Could Have Finished Sooner

Dern Dominates Grappling Battle

Mackenzie Dern, the UFC Strawweight Champion, once again showcased her impressive skills at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, where she secured a victory over Gillian Robertson by judges' decision. Dern relied heavily on her grappling—a discipline in which she is considered one of the best worldwide thanks to her extensive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background. In the first round, she nearly finished the fight with a rear-naked choke, one of the most effective submission moves in MMA, but the bell saved Robertson from an early tap-out.

A Sense of Missed Opportunity Despite the Win

Despite successfully defending her title, Dern was not fully satisfied. During the post-fight press conference, she admitted she could have ended the fight earlier. “It feels good, but it could have been even better if I had managed to get the submission,” Dern said. This feeling of missed opportunity highlights her strong desire to improve and dominate every moment in the cage, not just control the fight on points. It’s a testament to her ambition and motivation to keep evolving, even while at the top.

Handling Pressure and Future Fights

Dern also faces external pressure stemming from criticism about the level of competition she has faced. Some argue she hasn’t yet faced the highest-caliber opponents, like former champion Weili Zhang. Dern dismissed these claims, pointing out that her recent challengers—Gillian Robertson and Virna Jandiroba—earned their title shots after impressive five-fight winning streaks. According to her, she doesn’t need a win over Zhang to prove she’s one of the best fighters in the division.

Plans Ahead

Mackenzie Dern plans to return to the Octagon as soon as March to defend her title for the second time. She is aware that success brings pressure and media commitments that complicate training routines, but she is working closely with her coaching team to adapt and stay in peak condition. Immediately after the last fight, they conducted an in-depth tactical review to improve her positioning and enhance her skills for upcoming bouts.

The UFC has yet to announce Dern’s next opponent, but the champion expressed full confidence that she’s ready to face whoever the organization chooses. Dern continues to be a central figure in the MMA world, combining rare technique, willpower, and natural talent, with many fans eagerly awaiting her promising path and growth in future fights.