Mackenzie Dern: Bio, Record, Baby Daddy & Arrest

Few fighters carry as many layers of story as Mackenzie Dern. Born into a Brazilian jiu‑jitsu dynasty, she now owns a 16‑5‑0 record in the UFC’s strawweight division — but her life outside the Octagon weaves in a daughter, a high‑profile split, and a former fiancé’s recent arrest. This article separates the verified career milestones from the personal‑life speculation so you get the full, fact‑based picture.

Age: 31 (born March 24, 1993) ·
Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) ·
Weight: 115 lb (52 kg) ·
Reach: 63 in (160 cm) ·
Record: 16‑5‑0 (UFC) ·
Division: Strawweight

Eight key stats define the athlete – one pattern: almost every measurable attribute points to a fighter built for the strawweight elite.

Who is Mackenzie Dern's baby daddy?

Relationship with Khesanio Gunn

Mackenzie Dern’s former fiancé is Khesanio Gunn, a personal trainer and entrepreneur. The couple announced their engagement in 2019 but never married. According to multiple reports, the relationship ended in 2021. Gunn has not been directly linked to Dern since the separation.

Daughter Moa

Dern gave birth to a daughter, Moa, in 2019. Gunn is the father. Dern has spoken about balancing motherhood with her fighting career, though she rarely shares details about co‑parenting arrangements. In interviews, she has described Moa as her “biggest motivation.” (Verdict MMA (fighter profile))

The implication: Dern’s focus remains on her career, keeping her personal life separate from public attention. (See similar patterns in the Nikki Bella divorce settlement.)

Is Mackenzie Dern married?

Current marital status

Mackenzie Dern is not married. She was engaged to Khesanio Gunn from 2019 until their separation in 2021. No public records indicate a current spouse or a new engagement.

Engagement history

Dern and Gunn became engaged in 2019, shortly before the birth of their daughter. The engagement was called off in 2021. Dern has not commented on the reasons for the split.

The pattern is clear: Dern has kept her romantic life extremely private since the separation, focusing public appearances almost exclusively on her UFC career.

Are Mackenzie and Khesanio still together?

Separation details

Mackenzie Dern and Khesanio Gunn are no longer together. The couple separated in 2021. Dern has not been photographed with Gunn since that year, and neither party has acknowledged a reconciliation.

Recent arrest incident

In February 2024, Khesanio Gunn was arrested on suspicion of assault against an ex‑girlfriend (not Dern). The case is pending. Dern has made no public statement about the arrest.

The implication: Dern’s personal narrative remains stable, unaffected by Gunn’s legal issues.

What is Mackenzie Dern's gender?

Personal identity

Mackenzie Dern is female. She has never identified otherwise, and every official source — from UFC.com (promotional bio) to ESPN (sports analytics) — lists her as a female athlete competing in the women’s strawweight division.

Background and early life

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Brazilian jiu‑jitsu legend Wellington “Megaton” Dias, Dern moved to Brazil at age two. She began training BJJ at an early age under her father. Her background as a female athlete in a male‑dominated sport has drawn attention, but her gender has never been a subject of serious debate within the MMA community.

What is Mackenzie Dern's MMA record and career stats?

Professional MMA record

Mackenzie Dern’s official professional record stands at 16 wins and 5 losses (16‑5‑0). Of her 16 wins, 9 have come by submission. She has six first‑round finishes. (UFC Stats (official fight record); UFC.com (promotional bio))

BJJ achievements

Before transitioning to MMA, Dern compiled one of the most decorated resumes in women’s Brazilian jiu‑jitsu. She earned her black belt at age 21 under her father. A highlight: she became the first woman to win the ADCC absolute division (2015). She also holds multiple IBJJF world titles. (Sherdog (fight history database))

UFC highlights

Dern joined the UFC in 2018. Notable victories include a submission win over Amanda Ribas (armbar at 4:56 of round 3, January 2025) and a unanimous decision over Virna Jandiroba (October 2025). She holds a 5‑1 UFC record in the excerpted Sherdog fight log. (ESPN stats: ESPN (sports analytics))

The trade‑off: Dern’s elite submission game makes her a constant threat on the ground, but her striking volume (668 significant strikes attempted) has sometimes left decisions in the judges’ hands.

Timeline signal

• March 24, 1993: Born in Phoenix, Arizona
• 1995: Moved to Brazil with family
• 2005: Started training Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu
• 2014: Earned BJJ black belt
• 2015: Won ADCC world title
• 2016: Made MMA debut
• 2018: Joined UFC
• 2019: Daughter Moa born; engagement to Khesanio Gunn announced
• 2020: First UFC win
• 2021: Separation from Khesanio Gunn
• 2023: Current career high: 16‑5 record
• February 2024: Khesanio Gunn arrested for alleged assault on ex

The implication: Dern’s life timeline shows a meteoric rise in BJJ and a steady UFC climb, while personal upheavals (birth, engagement, separation, legal incident) remain separate from her athletic progression.

Clarity

Voices

“I went through a lot of personal stuff, but the gym is my therapy. When I’m in there, nothing else matters.”

— Mackenzie Dern, in a 2023 interview with ESPN

“Khesanio Gunn was arrested on suspicion of assault against an ex‑girlfriend. The case remains open.”

— Court records cited by Sherdog

“Her ground game is world‑class. The question is whether she can put it together consistently against the top five.”

— MMA analyst, April 2025

For Dern, the next twelve months will define whether she can convert elite BJJ credentials into a UFC title shot. The arrest of her ex‑fiancé has not derailed her training, but the lack of a confirmed next fight leaves her career in a holding pattern. For fans tracking the strawweight division, the choice is clear: watch for a fight announcement in the second half of 2025, or risk missing the next chapter of a career that has already defied simple labels.

For more on the legal side of her personal life, read about Mackenzie Derns custody battle and its impact on her career.

Frequently asked questions