Updated: November 26, 2025
Mackenzie Dern Ex Husband: Hey there, fight fans and curious readers—have you ever wondered how the toughest battles happen outside the octagon? Mackenzie Dern, the Brazilian-American grappling wizard and current UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, has been no stranger to that chaos. At just 32 years old, she’s conquered world titles in BJJ, submitted foes like Amanda Ribas in epic fashion, and even snagged a unanimous decision gold over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 in October 2025 to claim her belt. But behind those highlight-reel armbars lies a story of love, heartbreak, and unbreakable spirit. Today, we’re diving deep into Mackenzie Dern’s ex-husband, Wesley Santos, the messy divorce that rocked her world, and how she’s rising stronger. If you’ve searched “Mackenzie Dern ex husband” buckle up—this is the real, unfiltered scoop.
Table of Contents
Who Is Mackenzie Dern? A Quick Rise to UFC Glory
Picture this: A kid in Phoenix, Arizona, starts rolling on the mats at age three, thanks to her dad, BJJ legend Wellington “Megaton” Dias. That’s Mackenzie Dern for you—born March 24, 1993, with Brazilian roots that run as deep as her guard game. By 14, she was competing against adults, stacking IBJJF Worlds golds like pancakes and becoming the only woman to sweep all five major black-belt titles, including beating heavyweight Gabi Garcia.
Fast-forward to MMA: Dern turned pro in 2016, inked a UFC deal in 2018, and now boasts a 14-4 record as of late 2025. Her latest? That third-round armbar on Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249 in January, earning her Performance of the Night and climbing her to #5 in the pound-for-pound ranks. But Dern’s not just submissions and takedowns; she’s a mom to 6-year-old Moa, born in 2019, and a beacon for women balancing the cage with chaos. Her journey? Pure inspiration, blending killer instincts with heart.
The Marriage to Wesley Santos: Love, Waves, and Early Storm Clouds
Ah, the romance phase—back when life felt like a beach sunset. Mackenzie Dern met Wesley Santos, a laid-back Brazilian pro surfer with an afro and endless good vibes, around 2017. They tied the knot in 2019, right around the time Dern was breaking into the UFC spotlight. Wesley wasn’t just arm candy; he showed up in her IG stories, hyping her training sessions and chasing waves while she chased dreams.
Together, they welcomed Moa in June 2019—a tiny bundle who grounded Dern amid the fight grind. Fans loved the couple’s vibe: Him riding swells in Huntington Beach, her dominating no-gi worlds. But cracks started showing. In 2020, Wesley even stepped into the fray during Dern’s gym switch from Black House MMA after a money spat escalated into a scuffle with coach Juan Gomez. Santos handled it like a pro surfer—calm words over fists—proving he had her back. For a while, it seemed like the perfect power duo: athletic souls supporting each other’s passions.
The Divorce Drama: Abuse Claims, Custody Fights, and Courtroom Grit
Then came the waves that crashed hard. By late 2022, whispers turned to shouts—Mackenzie Dern and Wesley Santos split amid a storm of allegations. Dern filed for divorce that year, pulling back the curtain on what she called escalating abuse. In court docs from 2023, she detailed physical incidents, including one where Santos allegedly punched her, leaving bruises. “I tried everything to make it work,” she told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, her voice raw. “But the pressure… it broke me.”
Santos fired back, denying it all and flipping the script with claims of mutual scuffles and even accusing Dern of hitting Moa (which she vehemently refuted). He shared pics of his own bloody nose from a sushi lot parking brawl, calling her statements “false and defamatory.” The judge? Neutral ground: No full win for either side, but joint custody for Moa and a hefty bill for Dern as the breadwinner. She shelled out $10,000 in his legal fees plus $4,000 monthly alimony—yep, even her UFC 295 purse in 2023 went partly to him. Ouch.
It peaked pre-Angela Hill fight in May 2023, with Dern channeling the fury into a dominant UD win (49-43, twice). “So many things trying to bring me down—the divorce, the gym change,” she said at media day. “I’m coming with aggression.” Bullet-point brutalities from the saga:
- Emotional Toll: Dern admitted dreaming in Portuguese but waking up to custody calls and lawyer fees.
- Public Spotlight: Social media sleuths dissected every post, turning private pain into tabloid fodder.
- Mom Mode: Joint custody means shared holidays, but with bad blood, drop-offs turned tense.
- Financial Hit: That $4K/month? It fueled her fire, turning paychecks into payback.
By 2023’s end, divorce finalized, but scars lingered—like when ex Santos clashed with her new partner in 2024 (more on that next).
Post-Divorce Twists: New Love, Legal Drama, and Fresh Starts
Life post-Santos? A rollercoaster. Dern found sparks with fellow UFC fighter Antonio Trocoli (“Malvado”), a 34-year-old middleweight from Brazil training at MMA Lab. They went public in 2023, bonding over shared jiu-jitsu sessions and her post-divorce glow-up. Trocoli even hit WSOP fame in June 2025, pocketing $122K as the first active UFC’er at a final table. Cute couple goals? Valentine’s posts screamed yes.
But drama followed. In October 2024, Trocoli got pinched for misdemeanor battery after allegedly punching Santos during a custody handoff gone wrong. Santos claimed stalking threats via Moa; video allegedly captured the swing. Charges dropped? Misdemeanor status, but Dern and Trocoli split by November 2024 after therapy failed—rumors swirl of jealousy over her ex. As of now, Dern’s flying solo, focusing on Moa and the belt. Her net worth? Around $2.5M from fights ($110K-$150K purses), endorsements like War Tribe, and that champ glow.
For a snapshot of the key players in Dern’s ex-husband saga, check this table:
| Name | Relation to Mackenzie Dern | Profession | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Santos | Ex-Husband (m. 2019-2022) | Pro Surfer | Father of Moa; joint custody; alimony recipient; 2024 altercation victim |
| Antonio Trocoli | Ex-Partner (2023-2024) | UFC Middleweight | WSOP poker earner ($122K in 2025); arrested for battery on Santos; split amid therapy |
Conclusion: Mackenzie Dern’s Unstoppable Heart Beyond the Heartbreak
Whew—what a ride. From surfing sunsets with Wesley Santos to court battles and a quicksilver romance with Trocoli, Mackenzie Dern’s ex-husband chapter proves she’s human, flaws and all. Yet, here’s the magic: That pain forged her into the 2025 champ we cheer today. Beating Jandiroba for gold? That’s resilience wrapped in a rear-naked choke. To every fan googling “Mackenzie Dern ex-husband,” remember—her story isn’t tabloid trash; it’s a testament to bouncing back as a mom, fighter, and force.
What’s next? Defending that title, maybe against Zhang Weili in 2026? Keep watching; Dern’s just getting started. Drop a comment: Who’s your pick for her next foe? Hit like if her grit inspires you, and subscribe for more UFC deep dives. Fight on!