The storylines leading up to UFC 321 are stacked, but few are as emotionally charged as Mackenzie Dern‘s journey. As she prepares to face Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight title in Abu Dhabi, the 32-year-old finds herself on the same stage where she first established her identity a decade ago. Ten years after surprising the grappling world with her Abu Dhabi World Pro gold, she’s back: not just to chase a belt, but also to prove that her career, though challenging, was built on resilience, not dominance.

Mackenzie Dern’s career has not been without setbacks. While Ronda Rousey once ripped through her opponents with merciless efficiency, Dern has had to deal with broken noses, difficult losses, and constant reinvention. Yet, instead of shying away from comparisons, she faced them head-on at the UFC 321 media day. “I mean, I can’t say I wish I didn’t have an undefeated career like Ronda Rousey—that would have been amazing,” said Dern.

She added, “But I’m proud of my journey… the adversity that I went through is what’s going to help me be a great champion.” Her tone was reflective, not defensive. The American fighter compared herself to former lightweight king Charles Oliveira, who faced years of adversity before eventually ruling the division. “I kind of see myself similar to Charles ‘Do Bronx,'” noted Dern.

“He was up and down, had all these submissions, but when he became a champion, he really had light in him.” That sentiment perfectly captures Mackenzie Dern‘s perspective on her personal progress, which she sees as a process requiring humility, patience, and persistence. Ronda Rousey’s rule was quick and decisive, whereas Dern’s approach has been messy but steady.

While she previously set her sights on “breaking more records” than Rousey, her focus now is on becoming a champion who can, as she puts it, “do a little bit of everything.” Her journey has taught her to embrace imperfection, something she believes fighters like Tatiana Suarez, who stayed undefeated until encountering a higher level of competition, did not have to face. “Maybe Tatiana… when she did fight for the belt, it was a big difference in levels,” Dern observed, highlighting the importance of struggle.

For Dern, UFC 321 is more than just another title fight; it marks the end of a decade-long quest for a balance of talent and tenacity. The venue where she once established herself as a jiu-jitsu prodigy now allows her to reinvent herself as a full-fledged mixed martial artist. And, whether or not she wins the gold, Dern’s story already reads like that of a fighter who learned to flourish by embracing hardship rather than avoiding it. And while she may be walking in a bit overconfident into the fight, there is no denying that she is already among the greats in the eyes, at least in the eyes of Daniel Cormier.

Mackenzie Dern joins Ronda Rousey on Daniel Cormier’s ‘top five’ list

When Mackenzie Dern steps into the Octagon at UFC 321, she does so with a legacy already acknowledged by one of MMA’s sharpest brains, Daniel Cormier. After all, the former double champion once dubbed her one of the top five submission artists in UFC history, among legends such as Ronda Rousey, Fabrício Werdum, and Royce Gracie.

Cormier’s acknowledgment was more than just confirmation for Dern, who was frequently compared to Rousey; it was proof that she had carved her place among the sport’s elite. Long before this title shot in Abu Dhabi, Dern’s jiu-jitsu pedigree had already set her apart. The American was a world champion in both ADCC and IBJJF competitions, and she brought that perfection to the UFC, where she now has the second-most submission wins in women’s history.

Her dominance on the mat earned her the fourth slot on Cormier’s list, trailing only Rousey and Werdum, but ahead of legends Frank Mir and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Cormier’s ranking represented more than just numbers; it recognized the unusual combination of skill and composure she possesses when a fight goes to the ground.

“Mackenzie Dern is one of those fighters you just don’t want to be on the ground with,” Cormier explained on his DC & RC podcast back in 2021. “Her submissions are clean and dangerous, and she’s proven she can finish fights anywhere.” As Dern prepares to compete for her first UFC title, that phrase holds more weight than ever. The 32-year-old was initially compared to Rousey, but now that she’s on Cormier’s list, it’s clear that her story is entirely her own.