Mackenzie Dern is ready to begin her climb up the strawweight rankings.
After arriving in the UFC as one of the most hyped prospects in the sport, the 27-year-old grappling ace now feels like she’s graduated to contender status following her latest win, a first-round submission of Randa Markos at UFC Vegas 11.
While she still has a lot more left to learn, Dern believes that she’s a threat to the title, and she’s anxious to face the kind of competition that will move her closer to the belt.