Mackenzie Dern Husband Update: Inside The UFC Star’s High-Profile Divorce And New Beginnings

UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern remains one of the most talked-about athletes in mixed martial arts, both for her elite world-class jiu-jitsu and her highly publicized personal life. For fans searching for updates on Mackenzie Dern’s husband, the reality is that the UFC star is currently single. Following a turbulent and widely reported legal battle, Dern finalized her divorce from professional surfer Wesley Santos, shifting her entire focus to her athletic career and her daughter.

The Turbulent Split and Legal Battles with Wesley Santos

Mackenzie Dern and professional Brazilian surfer Wesley Santos tied the knot in 2018, welcoming their daughter, Moa, the following year. However, the marriage ultimately deteriorated, leading to a highly publicized divorce filing in 2022. The legal proceedings that unfolded throughout 2023 exposed severe personal and financial strain between the two parties, making headlines across major sports and news outlets.

The court proceedings involved mutual allegations of domestic abuse. Dern claimed physical abuse during the marriage, while Santos denied the allegations and accused Dern of physical aggression as well. Ultimately, the court ruled on joint custody of their daughter, while also ordering Dern to pay temporary spousal support and cover Santos's legal fees. Dern has been incredibly candid in media appearances about the emotional and financial toll the separation took on her training camps and mental state.

Financial Fallout and Navigating Co-Parenting

The financial resolution of the divorce had a direct impact on Dern's career trajectory inside the Octagon. Because she was ordered to pay significant legal fees and spousal support, Dern openly admitted that her subsequent fights were heavily motivated by the need to resolve these debts.

Despite the bitter nature of the separation, Dern has prioritized maintaining a stable environment for her daughter, Moa. Co-parenting in the aftermath of a highly publicized divorce is a challenging endeavor, but Dern has consistently stated that her daughter is her primary motivation. The financial and emotional pressure of the legal battle forced the multi-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion to adapt, showcasing her resilience both inside and outside the cage.

Octagon Campaign and Personal Focus in 2026

Now in 2026, Mackenzie Dern has successfully put the heaviest chapters of her legal battles behind her. Free from the active distractions of the divorce proceedings, she has overhauled her training camps, working with elite coaches to refine her striking and wrestling to complement her legendary submission game.

Dern’s primary goal remains the UFC Strawweight Championship. With her personal life stabilized and her financial obligations settled, her focus is entirely on climbing back up the 115-pound rankings. Fans can expect to see a highly focused, dangerous version of Dern in the cage as she continues to balance life as an elite professional athlete and a dedicated single mother.