“She Came Very Close To…” – Coming Out of a Tough Divorce, Joe Rogan Left Speechless With McKenzie Dern’s Ultimate Performance

UFC commentator-turned-millionaire podcaster Joe Rogan couldn’t contain his amazement as he discussed Mackenzie Dern’s recent fight against Angela Hill on episode #139 of The Joe Rogan Experience. In a conversation with Bas Rutten, Rogan couldn’t help but praise Dern’s outstanding performance. The 55-year-old also went on to talk about some of the struggles that the single-mother Dern has been recently going through.

Dern is a highly-skilled Strawweight fighter who has made a name for herself in the UFC. She’s been praised for her impressive grappling and submission game, she consistently showcases her talent inside the Octagon. With a combination of strength, technique, and determination, Dern continues to leave a lasting impact on the world of mixed martial arts.

Mackenzie Dern’s brilliance vs Angela Hill’s resilience: Joe Rogan’s take on the fight

As their discussion went on, Joe picked up the topic of the Dern vs Hill fight. “Did you see the Mackenzie Dern fight this weekend?” Rogan asked Rutten, who admitted he hadn’t. Rogan’s excitement was palpable as he exclaimed, “Oh my god! It was incredible!” He went on to describe the fight as a “breakthrough performance” for Dern, acknowledging her existing prowess in the Strawweight division.

“She came very close to getting armbars and she just would not give that f**king arm up. She was getting hammer fisted in the face… Wooh! She’s- Angela Hill is so f**king tough! But Mackenzie Dern, My God!”

Rogan didn’t fail to acknowledge the resilience and toughness of Angela Hill, the opponent Dern faced that night. “Angela Hill is so f**king tough,” Rogan emphasized. Despite enduring a relentless assault, Hill never backed down. Dern came pretty close to securing armbars, but Hill refused to surrender her arm. Even when faced with hammer fists to the face, Hill remained unwavering. But for Rogan, the most fascinating part, however, was how viciously Dern asserted her dominance, especially considering her ‘sweet lady’ demeanor outside the Octagon. But things have not always been this smooth for the Featherweight champ.

Divorce and Motivation: Behind the scenes of Dern’s journey

As she prepared for her headliner against Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 73, Mackenzie Dern felt extra motivated. The 30-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and ADCC gold medalist shared with the media how her personal challenges fueled her drive for this main event bout.

“It’s been so crazy. My divorce has been crazy. Coach Parillo, he was out of town for a month with Luke for his bare-knuckle fight. Definitely, for this fight, I’m coming with a lot of aggression from my personal life and everything. Nothing personal against Angela, I have a lot of respect for her, but I need to get it done,” she declared in the interview ahead of the event.

Watch this story: Khamzat Chimaev Reveals the Truth Behind Iconic Smash Everybody Catchphrase in the UFC

In a late 2022 social media post, Dern confirmed her divorce from Wesley Santos, with whom she shares a daughter. While she didn’t provide details, she admitted that the circumstances, marked by “a lot of aggression,” added to her motivation for the fight. Speaking before the event, Dern expressed her respect for Angela but emphasized her need to succeed, fueled by personal struggles.

All-in-all, things are slowly shaping up toward a better future for Mackenzie Dern. With Rogan’s endorsement, it’s clear that Dern’s remarkable performance deserves recognition and celebration in the world of UFC. What are your thoughts on Dern’s recent accolades? Let us know in the comments below!

READ MORE: “Take Care”: Fast and Furious Star Jason Momoa Joins UFC Legends in Wishing Speedy Recovery to BJJ GOAT Gordon Ryan