Mackenzie Dern Relocated Training Camp from MMA Lab to California Ahead of UFC 224

UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern has left the camp where she began her mixed martial arts career.

Speaking at a media luncheon ahead of her bout with Amanda Bobby Cooper at UFC 224, Dern confirmed that she is no longer at the MMA Lab in Arizona. Instead, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt split her time between Checkmat BJJ Academy and Black House in California (transcription courtesy of MMAjunkie.com).

“In relation with The Lab, after my last fight coach [John) Crouch], he just invited me to leave the team,” Dern today told reporters in Los Angeles. “Really we don’t have like a 100 percent understanding. I think he knows his decisions more than me. I think it was just the consistency. He wanted me there more often than what I was.”

Dern made her Octagon debut at UFC 222, where she captured a split-decision triumph over Ashley Yoder on March 3. The 25-year-old is now 6-0 in her professional career, which includes stints in Invicta FC, Legacy Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Championship. Dern said that she “definitely’ will not be returning to train at the MMA Lab.

In a statement released to MMAjunkie, Crouch admitted that he advised Dern to stay in California.

“She was struggling to make it back and forth to Arizona, and I thought it was better that she just set up her camp in California, where she really enjoys being,” he said. “I wish her the best. I know she’s going to do great in her jiu-jitsu career and in her MMA career, and we’ll be cheering for her.”

After her win over Yoder, Dern asked to fight in Brazil for her sophomore Octagon appearance and that requested was granted, as she will get to compete in Rio de Janeiro on May 12. Dern claims she nearly moved to Brazil recently, but that training in California better suits her lifestyle than the previous arrangement.

“Everything happens for a reason, and I’m really happy,” Dern said. “I’m happy here. Like I said, the mindset and being confident, if you’re happy, too, with where you are, then that’s the best. Here’s a little bit similar lifestyle than I have in Brazil. I almost went back to Brazil to live there. I was even training with Jose Aldo and everything to see if I would be there. I have this lifestyle now in California which gives me that good balance.

“I’m not the person that the next day I’m back in the academy. I like to be on the beach, relax and miss to be on the mats and want to be on the mats. I don’t like the pressure to be on the mats. I’ve been on the mats since I was 3 years old. For me, at 25, when I have the time to rest, then the next time I want to train.”