Mackenzie Dern has built a reputation as one of the most accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to transition into professional MMA.
The UFC fighter has spent much of her life around martial arts. She started training when she was only 3 years old, competed in adult divisions as a teenager and eventually became a world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before making her way into mixed martial arts.
While her career inside the Octagon has received plenty of attention, fans have also become curious about her personal life, particularly her marriage and family.
Dern was previously married to professional surfer Wesley Santos. The couple became engaged in 2019 and later welcomed their daughter, Moa. Their marriage eventually ended in a highly publicized and difficult divorce.
The split also involved serious allegations. Dern accused Santos of physical abuse, allegations that Santos denied. Because both sides gave different accounts, the claims should be understood as allegations rather than established facts.
Today, Dern and Santos share joint custody of their daughter.
Who Is Mackenzie Dern?
Mackenzie Lynne Dern Santos was born on March 24, 1993, in Arizona.
She grew up in a family deeply connected to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her father is Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a highly respected figure in the grappling world.
Dern’s childhood was divided between Arizona and Brazil, giving her exposure to both American and Brazilian culture from a young age.
She became fluent in English and Portuguese, although Portuguese eventually became her primary language because of her family and professional connections.
Martial arts were a natural part of her childhood.
Dern started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when she was just 3 years old. By the time she reached her teenage years, she was already competing against adult opponents.
That early start helped her develop an unusually deep understanding of grappling.
Mackenzie Dern’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Career
Before becoming a UFC fighter, Dern was already a major name in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
She achieved world championships at multiple belt levels and received her black belt from her father in December 2012.
Her achievements in the sport became one of the foundations of her MMA career.
Dern is also known for competing successfully against opponents who had significant physical advantages.
One of the most notable examples was her victory over Gabi Garcia, a much larger competitor who was widely recognized for her size and strength.
Dern’s success was not simply about physical ability.
Her technique, timing and knowledge of submissions made her one of the most respected female grapplers of her generation.
She eventually became one of the rare athletes able to establish herself in both elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and professional MMA.
When Did Mackenzie Dern Meet Wesley Santos?
Mackenzie Dern’s relationship with professional surfer Wesley Santos eventually became an important part of her personal life.
The couple became engaged in 2019.
At the time, Dern was already establishing herself as a serious MMA contender, while Santos had his own career in professional surfing.
Their relationship brought together two athletes from different combat and action sports worlds.
The couple later welcomed their daughter, Moa.
For Dern, becoming a mother added another major responsibility to a life that was already built around demanding training schedules and professional competition.
Mackenzie Dern and Wesley Santos’ Daughter
Dern and Santos share a daughter named Moa.
The arrival of their daughter became an important chapter in Dern’s life.
Being a professional fighter requires extensive travel, intense training camps and a significant amount of physical and mental preparation.
Balancing those responsibilities with motherhood has become another part of Dern’s journey.
Although the relationship between Dern and Santos eventually ended, their daughter remains a connection between them.
The two now share joint custody of Moa.
That means their relationship has changed from being husband and wife to co-parents.
Why Did Mackenzie Dern and Wesley Santos Divorce?
The marriage eventually became troubled, leading to a difficult and public divorce.
Dern accused Santos of physical abuse.
Those were serious allegations, and they became part of the legal and public dispute surrounding their separation.
Santos denied the allegations and expressed disappointment that details of the divorce became part of the public conversation.
Because the allegations were disputed, it is important not to present either side’s claims as proven facts without appropriate legal findings.
What is clear is that the relationship ended and the former couple moved into a co-parenting arrangement.
Their divorce became one of the more difficult personal chapters in Dern’s life, especially because it unfolded while she continued competing professionally.
The Divorce Became Public
Celebrity and professional athletes often find it difficult to keep personal matters private, particularly when legal proceedings are involved.
Dern’s situation attracted attention because she was already a recognizable UFC fighter.
Her career meant that her personal life was being followed by fans and media outlets.
The allegations and responses from both sides therefore became part of the public narrative surrounding their divorce.
For Dern, however, her career continued.
She remained active as a professional MMA fighter while navigating the changes in her family life.
Is Mackenzie Dern Still Married?
No.
Mackenzie Dern is no longer married to Wesley Santos.
Santos is her ex-husband, and they share joint custody of their daughter, Moa.
The marriage ended following their divorce after a relationship that included an engagement, marriage and the birth of their child.
There is no need to confuse Dern’s past marriage with her current relationship status.
For fans searching “Mackenzie Dern husband,” Wesley Santos is the name associated with her former marriage.
Mackenzie Dern’s Life After Divorce
Dern’s life after the marriage has continued to revolve heavily around MMA and motherhood.
Her professional career has demanded a significant amount of attention.
She has competed at the highest level of women’s MMA and has remained a recognizable contender in the UFC strawweight division.
At the same time, she has had to manage the responsibilities that come with being a mother.
That combination makes her journey different from many fighters.
She is not only preparing for opponents and maintaining her physical condition, but also raising a child and managing a co-parenting relationship.
Why Did Mackenzie Dern Leave Black House MMA?
Dern’s career has also experienced changes outside the Octagon.
One major change involved her departure from Black House MMA.
The situation reportedly involved her former coach, Juan Gomez, and an incident connected to Dern’s ex-husband.
According to the information provided, a disagreement about money reportedly contributed to an altercation between Gomez and Santos.
However, Gomez disputed the idea that money alone was responsible for the confrontation.
The situation eventually resulted in both Dern and Gomez being asked to leave the team.
The incident became another complicated chapter in Dern’s professional life.
For a fighter, changing gyms can be a major decision because training partners and coaches play a central role in preparation.
Why a Gym Matters So Much to an MMA Fighter
MMA fighters depend heavily on their training environment.
A successful camp requires coaches who understand the fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, training partners who can replicate different styles and a team that can help prepare for specific opponents.
Dern’s background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives her a particularly strong grappling foundation, but modern MMA requires much more than one discipline.
She also needs striking, wrestling, conditioning and tactical preparation.
That makes a gym change potentially significant.
Leaving a long-term training environment can be difficult, but fighters sometimes decide that a new team is necessary for their development or personal circumstances.
Dern’s career has continued despite those changes.
Mackenzie Dern’s MMA Career
Dern eventually transformed her grappling success into a career in professional MMA.
Her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background gave her an obvious advantage on the ground.
She has developed into a well-rounded fighter capable of using submissions and positional grappling while continuing to improve her striking.
Her UFC career has placed her among the better-known competitors in the women’s strawweight division.
According to the information provided, she holds a 14-5 professional record.
Her ranking has also kept her in the conversation around the top of the division.
The Balance Between Fighting and Motherhood
One of the more interesting parts of Dern’s story is how she balances professional fighting with motherhood.
Training for an MMA fight can consume months of preparation.
There are early workouts, strength sessions, technical drilling, sparring and recovery.
For a mother, those demands become even more complicated.
Dern’s daughter Moa is now an important part of her life outside competition.
The fighter has had to adapt to a lifestyle where professional ambition and family responsibilities exist side by side.
That has become a major part of her journey beyond her accomplishments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Mackenzie Dern’s Relationship Status Today
The supplied information focuses on Dern’s former marriage to Wesley Santos and their divorce.
It does not provide confirmed information about a current husband or new spouse.
Therefore, Santos remains the person most closely associated with the search term “Mackenzie Dern husband,” but he is her ex-husband rather than her current husband.
Dern appears to be focused on her career and her role as a mother.
As with many professional athletes, her private dating life is separate from the information that is publicly established about her career.
Final Thoughts on Mackenzie Dern’s Ex-Husband
Mackenzie Dern’s relationship with Wesley Santos was an important part of her personal life.
They became engaged in 2019, married and welcomed their daughter, Moa.
Their relationship eventually ended in divorce after a difficult period that included serious allegations from Dern. She accused Santos of physical abuse, while Santos denied those allegations and criticized the public discussion surrounding their divorce.
The two have since moved forward as co-parents and share joint custody of their daughter.
Away from her personal life, Dern continues to be known for her extraordinary martial arts background.
She started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at just 3 years old, competed against adults as a teenager and went on to win major championships across multiple belt levels. Her father, Wellington “Megaton” Dias, played a major role in her development and awarded her black belt in 2012.
She later made the transition to MMA and reached the UFC, where her grappling remains one of her defining strengths.
So, when fans ask about Mackenzie Dern’s husband, the answer is Wesley Santos, but it is important to describe him as her former husband. Their marriage ended, and their relationship today is centered on co-parenting their daughter.
Dern’s story is ultimately much bigger than her marriage. She has built a career through years of sacrifice, adapted to major changes in her personal and professional life and continues to compete at one of the highest levels in women’s MMA.