With the UFC on a quick break, fighters are grabbing attention for reasons beyond the octagon. At the start of 2026, Alex Pereira and Tracy Cortez made headlines by posting a picture announcing their relationship with a kiss. However, it lasted less than 10 days. Now, another UFC couple is creating a buzz. Brian Ortega and Mackenzie Dern, for instance, turned heads with their recent appearance at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles this week.

34-year-old Brian Ortega has long been in the spotlight, both for his dominance in the featherweight division and his high-profile relationships, including one with Tracy Cortez. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern, a BJJ legend and current UFC women’s strawweight champion, recently sparked a wave of excitement among fans. Their latest public outing together with Hollywood celebrities has left fans wondering: are they dating?

Is there romance brewing between Brian Ortega and Mackenzie Dern?

Currently, Brian Ortega is happily married to Stephanie Renee Ortega. The couple has two sons, Caleb and Joshua. Their relationship faced challenges in the past, and at one point, they separated. During that time, Brian Ortega dated Tracy Cortez. Stephanie and Brian reconciled in 2023 and remain together, recently celebrating Christmas as a family.

Brian Ortega has been a devoted father and husband. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern’s personal life continues to stay in the spotlight. She previously came out of an “abusive” marriage with surfer Wesley Santos. They split in 2023 but share a daughter, Moa, and actively co-parent her. Currently, Dern is reportedly dating Brazilian MMA star Antonio Trocoli.

Top Stories

Alexander Volkanovski Clears Stance on Retirement as He Gives Final Verdict on Lightweight Title Run

24-YO Man Pleads Guilty to Arson of Conor McGregor’s Pub ‘The Black Forge Inn’

Khamzat Chimaev Riles Up Brazilian MMA Community With Another Alex Pereira UFC White House Callout

Paramount+ Price Set to Increase Just Days Before UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett

Nick Diaz Returns to Training With Political Activist and Ex-MMA Star After Spending Months in Mexican Rehab

Their recent appearance at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards served mainly as a UFC promotional move, broadcast on CBS, which Paramount owns. During the show, the announcer introduced the UFC stars, saying, “Our next presenters are so hot right now, they get mobbed everywhere they go. So we had to bring in some extra security from the UFC.”

The pair hit the stage in UFC-branded attire, paused for a moment, and then walked off. UFC is now set to kick off its first event on Paramount+ with UFC 324 on January 24. And with their relationship rumors put to rest, Ortega and Dern are pumped to make a strong return in the octagon.

Ortega and Mackenzie Dern ready for upcoming bouts

34-year-old former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega is navigating a rough patch in his career. Since December 2018, he has won only 2 fights and lost 5, keeping him out of title contention. He most recently lost to former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, and before that, Diego Lopes handed him another defeat.

Ortega is now making a major move in his career by stepping up to the lightweight division after struggling to make weight in his last catchweight bout, during which he even lost consciousness before the weigh-in at UFC Shanghai. He will face Renato Moicano at UFC 326 on March 7.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern is on a three-fight winning streak, most recently beating Virna Jandiroba. Dern claimed the vacant strawweight title after former champion Zhang Weili moved up a division. However, after Weili’s loss to Valentina Shevchenko at flyweight, she could return to strawweight, potentially setting up a high-profile matchup with Dern.

With both fighters on very different career trajectories right now, how do you see their future in the promotion? Do you think Brian Ortega can make a successful comeback and score a win at UFC 326? Drop your predictions below.