UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern recently opened up about the ongoing legal battles with her ex-husband over custody and financial support, revealing the significant financial burden these court proceedings have placed on her career.
In a candid interview, Dern disclosed that she finds herself in court “almost every year” because her ex-husband continues to demand increased financial support.
“He comes with this whole map of how my career will be, like ‘oh that she’s going to win the belt here in a couple years and then she’s going to make this money,'”
Dern explained, expressing her frustration with what she sees as money-oriented projections of her future earnings.
The financial arrangement has created what Dern describes as an unfair burden. Despite having 50/50 custody of their daughter, she pays for health insurance and additional expenses because she’s the higher earner. Her ex-husband doesn’t work, claiming he wants to spend more time with their daughter, yet Dern is legally obligated to maintain the lifestyle at both households.
“I’m like paying his lawyer’s fees to get my money and then I’m paying my lawyer and then I’m paying him just to be like a dad,”
Dern stated, highlighting the complexity of the financial obligations. Under California law, she’s required to provide the same lifestyle they had when together, even though he chooses not to work.
The situation becomes more challenging as Dern‘s career progresses.
“The more money I make, every year he can come back and ask to raise the child support,”
she revealed. This creates a situation where her professional success directly translates to increased financial demands from her ex-husband.
Adding to the custody battle’s complexity, Dern mentioned that her ex-husband is seeking full custody of their daughter. She expressed disbelief at this request, particularly given her role as the primary breadwinner and her efforts to balance motherhood with her career as a strawweight competitor.
Dern contrasted her current situation with her own childhood experience of divorced parents who
“never went to court”
and worked well together co-parenting. She had hoped for a similar amicable arrangement but found herself in a system she describes as being against involving the state in child-rearing decisions unless absolutely necessary.
The financial strain of these legal battles has directly impacted her MMA career, with Dern previously commenting that certain bouts were
“literally still paying for my separation and my divorce.”
This ongoing legal burden continues to affect her ability to focus solely on her athletic pursuits and championship aspirations.
Despite these challenges, Dern remains committed to her goal of becoming a UFC champion while being a present mother to her daughter, whom she regularly brings to training sessions and UFC events. The legal battles serve as an additional motivation in her pursuit of the strawweight title, as she continues to navigate the complex intersection of professional athletics, motherhood, and contentious custody arrangements.
