Fresh off winning the strawweight title at UFC 321, Mackenzie Dern says she’s ready to face the toughest challengers — and has her sights set on former champion Zhang Weili.
Dern, who submitted Virna Jandiroba to claim the vacant belt, told Ariel Helwani she doesn’t want to be a “baby champion.” Instead, she aims to “beat the best,” naming Zhang and Tatiana Suarez as likely contenders.
“If Zhang wins or even if she loses to Valentina [Shevchenko], she still makes sense because of her resume,” Dern said.
The 30-year-old jiu-jitsu ace, now the second ADCC gold medalist to hold a UFC title, promised an active championship reign, adding that continued training will make her “a beast” in future fights.
