Watch: Mackenzie Dern Unveils Fight Week Training as UFC 321 Title Shot Approaches
Mackenzie Dern has shared footage of her training preparations ahead of her strawweight title bout against Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 on October 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The vacant championship opportunity represents the biggest moment of her career, with the Brazilian-American fighter showing her work in the final stages of fight camp.
Mackenzie Dern Training Footage
The matchup comes after Zhang Weili vacated her strawweight title to move up to flyweight and challenge Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322. Dern and Jandiroba met previously at UFC 256 in December 2020, with Dern securing a unanimous decision victory in a three-round contest. The rematch will feature five championship rounds, a format Dern believes favors her experience.
Dern has participated in approximately five five-round fights over the past five years, while Jandiroba has limited experience at that duration. Speaking about the extended format, Dern explained that five rounds provide more time to solve problems and find timing compared to three-round bouts where momentum can shift quickly. Her team has focused on improving her cardio to maximize the full 25 minutes.
The 32-year-old fighter began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age three under her father Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a decorated grappling competitor and coral belt holder. Her credentials include an ADCC championship in 2015, multiple IBJJF World Championship titles at black belt level, and world championships in every belt division as she progressed through the ranks. She defeated elite competitor Gabi Garcia despite a significant weight disadvantage and remains one of the most credentialed jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA.
Dern’s preparation for UFC 321 has included training at her primary gym with conditioning coach Rogerio Camoes, who previously worked with Anderson Silva. She has made significant body composition changes over her career, adding 11 pounds of muscle while reducing her body fat percentage from 22 percent to 11 percent. Her striking has evolved considerably since her early UFC appearances, with her first fight against Jandiroba taking place entirely on the feet across three rounds.
The training footage posted to social media shows Dern’s commitment to being prepared for any scenario in the rematch. She has stated that her team is ready for the fight to take place on the ground, standing up, or in strategic exchanges against the cage. Her preparation has emphasized maintaining her jiu-jitsu strengths while continuing to develop her striking fundamentals and overall athleticism.
Dern arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of fight week and was featured in the first episode of UFC 321 Embedded, where she adjusted to the time difference with recovery sessions in the pool. She visited a local wildlife zoo before the intensity of fight week ramped up. Her daughter Moa will be present for the fight, with Dern noting she has never lost a bout when her daughter attends aside from her UFC debut.
