The highly anticipated debut of female prospect Mackenzie Dern went off without a hitch as she opens her UFC career with a tough win against Ashley Yoder via split decision at UFC 222.
Ok, maybe saying “without a hitch” was not entirely accurate. That would be selling short the effort Ashley Yoder put forward, pushing Mackenzie Dern the distance and only losing by a split decision. Yoder definitely had her moments landing big strikes, unchecked leg kicks and even dropping Mackenzie Dern at one point.
Mackenzie Dern had a hard time taking Ashley Yoder down. This was a bit surprising considering her Brazilian Jiu Jitsu pedigree. Still, with the result on the line in the third,Mackenzie Dern finally landed a takedown and nearly submitted Yoder in the final minute. Two judges scored the bout for Dern, 29-28. A third had it for Yoder, 29-28. ESPN also had it 29-28 for Mackenzie Dern.
“I didn’t come here and try to get a submission in the first 10 seconds,”Mackenzie Dern said. “I’m a striker, too.”
Andy Gonzalez is a coach at Aces Jiu Jitsu Club. He has earned his BJJ Brown Belt under 2nd Degree Black Belt, Professor Mikal Abdullah. Follow Andy on Twitter at @GoGoGonzilla
Andy lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Amanda and their 3 beautiful children. Andy is also the father of a Marine who is honorably serving in the United States Marine Corps.