When talking about UFC women's division, you can't miss Mackenzie Dern who has defeated many renowned fighters. She has indeed come a long way, from winning gold medals in jiu-jitsu international tournaments to making her mark in the MMA fighting scene. Her career saw several ups and downs, including months-long hiatus due to injuries, but Dern has never looked back.
Thanks to her hard work, the mixed martial artist is now one of the highest-ranking strawweight competitors in the UFC. A fierce performer in the ring, Mackenzie is a loving spouse and mom at her home. She is a proud mama of a baby girl, Moa Dern Santos, many might have seen the little darling on her mother's IG posts or alongside her in the backstages.
Similarly, there might be several people who want to learn more about Mackenzie Dern's daughter and how she is growing up. Hence, we are bringing you this article.
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Only Child Of Her Parents
The lovely girl was born on June 9, 2019, to her mom and dad, Wesley Santos. The latter is a surfer by profession and won the WSL South American Pro Championship. Since winning the title, he has competed in several more tournaments. On the other hand, Moa's mother is a renowned UFC fighter with several victories under her belt, as already mentioned.
Moa Dern Santos' parents' relationship was one of a kind. Both shared mutual understanding and respected each other's boundaries. Not just that, Mackenzie Dern's then-husband was supportive of her both inside and outside the ring. He once even got into a fight with her coach, urging Dern to change her gym.
Moa Dern Santos' father, Wesley Santos, is a professional surfer. Photo Source: Moa Dern Santos' Instagram.
Sadly, the former pair are no longer together. During her Insta Q&A session, the UFC fighter exclusively revealed that she is single and has been that for a while now. She also shared how everything is good between her and her ex-partner, and they are taking good care of their little girl. However, many details about the former couple's divorce and who will keep Moa's custody are yet to be revealed.
Many Thought Moa's Mother's Career Was Over Following Her Arrival
Though women have accomplished just as much and, in some cases, even more than men, people don't hesitate to limit them to their gender identity. Giving birth and motherhood are part of a woman's biological nature, and it doesn't necessarily mean they pose barriers to their career or future goals. Similarly, when the UFC fighter announced her pregnancy with Moa, many people thought her career was over.
Little Santos was a big surprise to her parents, and her mama initially thought about her career. But she didn't lose faith; instead, Mackenzie felt stronger, more motivated, and dedicated. Thanks to her positive attitude and courage, she was able to return to the ring much earlier than expected.
Four months after Moa's arrival, her mom returned to the Octagon to face Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Though she lost the match, she became more determined to win a title in the promotion. Eventually, Dern won a bout against Hannah Cifers in May 2020 via a first-round kneebar and became the first woman to win a fight by any form of leg lock in the promotion's history.
Contrary to what many assumed, Mackenzie has proved that life is not over just because one has a child. She is inspiring other women and making a big difference in sports for women. Furthermore, the UFC fighter is also exposing her baby girl to her lifestyle as she often takes her to the gym during the training sessions. Since she is exposed to an MMA fighting career earlier, will Mackenzie Dern's daughter develop an interest in that area in the future?
Even if little Santos doesn't want to be a fighter, her mother says it's ok. But, as one creates their own destiny, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Moa.
Mackenzie Dern's Daughter Has A Large Social Media Following
Unlike some celebs, Dern and her former spouse haven't hidden their kid from the public eye. Instead, both have created a public Instagram profile of their girl, where they have shared many photos of her. Fans can see how Moa is growing up, learn about her interests, and more through her IG posts.
As per her IG bio, which boasts over 5K followers, Moa loves her dogs, Chance, and Laila. She enjoys driving kids' cars, going surfing with her dad, and playing with her friends. Not just that, it seems like Santos has developed an interest in jiu-jitsu. She is frequently seen learning jiu-jitsu and training alongside her mom. Overall, it seems like she is growing up happily surrounded by her parents' love and affection.
To conclude, Mackenzie and her ex-partner are raising their child in a good environment. Both are very attentive toward her and are likely co-parenting following their separation. Mackenzie Dern's daughter has helped her be more mature and grow stronger as an athlete. Hopefully, we will continue seeing her shining in the Octagon for more days.
