Mackenzie Dern Makes Personal Admissions Ahead Of UFC 295 Return: 'I'm Still Paying My Ex'

UFC strawweight star Mackenzie Dern’s last few fight camps have featured a lot of distractions away from the Octagon.

Dern will face former UFC strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade in her Octagon return this Saturday at UFC 295. She returns after an impressive win against Angela Hill in her last performance back in May.

Ahead of her unanimous decision win over Hill, Dern revealed that she and her longtime romantic partner were getting divorced. She admitted that the fallout of the split impacted her approach to fight camp leading up to the victory.

And things haven’t gotten much easier for Dern away from the cage as she prepares for another high-profile fight.

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Mackenzie Dern Reveals Pre-Fight Stress Ahead Of UFC 295

During her appearance at UFC 295 media day, Dern was asked if this fight camp was any less stressful after going through divorce proceedings.

“We always have problems,” Dern admitted. “Just the pressure. The last [fight] when I went through the divorce…the divorce was final, but you don’t realize how much aftermath there is to it. Literally, this whole fight is still paying my ex…I have to get punched in the face, you work so hard and you do all this, and you have to [still] pay that much for something. 

“I basically made my own home gym and you just keep investing in your dreams and hope it works. I’m trying to keep everything private at home, because you’re very vulnerable when everyone’s seeing your training…but in the fight, it all comes out and it all works out.”

Coincidentally, Andrade is also going through a divorce ahead of UFC 295 this weekend. She’s looking to get back on track in the Octagon following three consecutive losses.

Dern’s comments show that life outside of the spotlight can be immensely stressful for fighters, and she’s fighting with a lot at stake this Saturday in New York City.

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