Mackenzie Dern has explained why she's bringing her dog along to UFC Vegas 101 fight week.
The fan favorite strawweight looks for a chance at redemption on Saturday when she takes on Amanda Ribas at the Apex in Las Vegas. In 2019, the Brazilian took her undefeated record and put her on an up-and-down path during the promotion.
But after returning to victory against Lupita Godinez last time, Dern is confident that she can turn the tide with her best friend by her side.
Mackenzie Dern explains why she's bringing an emotional support dog to UFC Vegas 101
Mackenzie Dern has made the Apex her home in the post-pandemic UFC, fighting at the controversial venue a whopping seven times since its introduction for big fight nights. She returns for this main event, knowing she must leave no stone unturned to get revenge.
“He helps me a lot by making me feel comfortable and I try to stay as calm as possible,” she told the press after arriving at media day with her enormous dog. “I think what I need most in my fights is calmness, and to just go into the Apex again and feel like it's a training session.
“He goes to the gym with me and stuff like that, and with Moa [Dern’s five-year-old daughter] will be here Friday. So it's the best way to keep me relaxed and not let all my nerves get too high.”
Mackenzie Dern describes how her career changed after her first loss to Amanda Riba
At the time of her fight with Amanda Ribas, Dern was just a few months away from giving birth to her first daughter. She was also part of a team she has since left and had significantly less experience in the octagon, making this a very different match on Saturday.
“I feel like I was such a different person back then,” she added. “It doesn't even feel like I was. I feel like I'm a completely different person. And it was three rounds. I think we're at completely different stages in our careers. I've evolved in striking, wrestling and takedowns, just as much experience.
When asked if she regrets being so close to giving birth, she admitted: “A little bit, yes. I think I would still take losses in my career, and I'm still happy with where I am now.
“I think it made me who I am today, so I can't say, 'I regret it at all,' but I think if I could go back again, I would wait a little bit longer.”
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