Mackenzie Dern seems to have locked in a challenger for her first UFC title protection.
Dern captured the vacant strawweight title with a gritty unanimous choice victory over seasoned contender Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 in October 2025. Since that breakthrough win, the 33-year-old American-born Brazilian has remained on the sidelines.
After a 10-month layoff, she now seems set to step again into the Octagon and put her title on the road.
Mackenzie Dern Anticipated To Make First Title Protection In opposition to Gillian Robertson At UFC 330
Mackenzie Dern is reportedly being lined up for the primary protection of her strawweight title in opposition to Gillian Robertson at UFC 330, scheduled for August 15 on the Xfinity Cellular Area in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The potential bout was first delivered to mild by MagicM_MMABets on X.
Dern is using a three-fight successful streak heading into her subsequent outing. Her most up-to-date defeat dates again to February 2024, when she suffered a unanimous choice loss to former title challenger Amanda Lemos at UFC 298.
The previous IBJJF champion has compiled an 11-5 document contained in the UFC, highlighted by notable victories over Amanda Ribas, Crazy Godínez, and Angela Hill. Total, she stands at 16-5 as an expert.

In the meantime, Robertson was last seen in action at UFC Vegas 114 in March, the place she secured a unanimous choice victory over Lemos, pushing her successful streak to 5. “The Savage” hasn’t tasted defeat since June 2023, when she dropped a call to Tabatha Ricci at UFC Jacksonville
The 31-year-old Canadian presently holds a 14-6 document contained in the Octagon, with key victories over Marina Rodriguez, Polyana Viana, and Molly McCann. She carries a 17-8 document in her skilled profession.

