Seriously, you couldn't ask for a better quote than that.
Mackenzie Dern reflects on first MMA loss at UFC Tampa: ‘It only makes me hungrier’
By Guilherme Cruz@guicruzzz Oct 20, 2019, 9:00am EDT
Mackenzie Dern is no longer undefeated as an MMA fighter, and she expects good things to come with that.
Back to Brazil after dropping a decision to Brazilian strawweight prospect Amanda Ribas last Saturday at UFC Tampa, the jiu-jitsu specialist opened up about losing for the first time in MMA, whether or not she should have fought just four months after the birth of her daughter Moa, and how she expects to change as an athlete going forward.
“It only makes me hungrier to get back in there,” Dern told MMA Fighting on how it felt to lose. “You’re a bit worried when you’re undefeated, (thinking) ‘is this opponent a good fight for me,’ thinking about strategies and whatnot. And now, after you have your first loss, you just want to get in there and fight and take risks.
“A fight shows up and I’m training, let’s do it. I’ll fight on short notice. I feel like I can fight better now. I’m hungrier to fight all the time. I want to get in there and do my best and continue to evolve as an athlete and as a fighter. To always choose fights that your coaches think are good for you is good, but being a fighter that fights any type of opponent is tougher. That’s life. You have wins, you have losses, but the plan remains the same: climb the rankings and win the belt. Nothing has changed.”
Even though Dern sees a benefit in changing her mindset after suffering her first defeat, she misses being undefeated.
“It felt so good,” she said with a laugh. “It was so cute to see that zero there, but it’s part of the sport, you know? I’ve lost many times in my jiu-jitsu career before winning all my titles, so it only makes you hungrier.”
Dern conquered every major title in jiu-jitsu and submission before making her transition to MMA, including an unforgettable year in 2015 when she won titles at the IBJJF World Championship (gi and no-gi), an ADCC gold medal, and defeated heavyweight grappler Gabi Garcia in Abu Dhabi.
continued,
Mackenzie Dern reflects on first MMA loss at UFC Tampa: ‘It only makes me hungrier’
Mackenzie Dern reflects on first MMA loss at UFC Tampa: ‘It only makes me hungrier’
By Guilherme Cruz@guicruzzz Oct 20, 2019, 9:00am EDT
Mackenzie Dern is no longer undefeated as an MMA fighter, and she expects good things to come with that.
Back to Brazil after dropping a decision to Brazilian strawweight prospect Amanda Ribas last Saturday at UFC Tampa, the jiu-jitsu specialist opened up about losing for the first time in MMA, whether or not she should have fought just four months after the birth of her daughter Moa, and how she expects to change as an athlete going forward.
“It only makes me hungrier to get back in there,” Dern told MMA Fighting on how it felt to lose. “You’re a bit worried when you’re undefeated, (thinking) ‘is this opponent a good fight for me,’ thinking about strategies and whatnot. And now, after you have your first loss, you just want to get in there and fight and take risks.
“A fight shows up and I’m training, let’s do it. I’ll fight on short notice. I feel like I can fight better now. I’m hungrier to fight all the time. I want to get in there and do my best and continue to evolve as an athlete and as a fighter. To always choose fights that your coaches think are good for you is good, but being a fighter that fights any type of opponent is tougher. That’s life. You have wins, you have losses, but the plan remains the same: climb the rankings and win the belt. Nothing has changed.”
Even though Dern sees a benefit in changing her mindset after suffering her first defeat, she misses being undefeated.
“It felt so good,” she said with a laugh. “It was so cute to see that zero there, but it’s part of the sport, you know? I’ve lost many times in my jiu-jitsu career before winning all my titles, so it only makes you hungrier.”
Dern conquered every major title in jiu-jitsu and submission before making her transition to MMA, including an unforgettable year in 2015 when she won titles at the IBJJF World Championship (gi and no-gi), an ADCC gold medal, and defeated heavyweight grappler Gabi Garcia in Abu Dhabi.
continued,
Mackenzie Dern reflects on first MMA loss at UFC Tampa: ‘It only makes me hungrier’
