Mackenzie
Dern came up short on the biggest stage of her mixed martial
arts career to date, but the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is
planning on using the experience to become a better fighter in the
long run.
Dern dropped a unanimous decision to Marina
Rodriguez in the UFC Fight Night 194 main event at the UFC Apex
on Saturday night, ending her four-bout Octagon winning streak.
Dern had Rodriguez in trouble after dragging her to the mat in
Round 2, as she threatened with a leg lock, landed ground-and-pound
from the reverse crucifix position and took her opponent’s back.
Rodriguez was able to survive, however, and spent the majority of
the contest outclassing Dern on the feet.
“Yesterday wasn’t the result I was training for, but this fight is
the biggest learning experience for me,” Dern wrote on Instagram.
“Now I have a lot to look back on and fix to become a better
fighter! For sure a submission would have been great but to have
these rounds for me to work on is such a blessing.”
The 28-year-old Dern was coming off a streak in which she bested
Hannah
Cifers, Randa
Markos, Virna
Jandiroba and Nina Nunes in
succession. The RVCA product is 6-2 in the UFC and 11-2 as a
professional overall.