UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern has never been shy about her unconventional approach to bout preparation, but her latest request to athletic commissioners raised eyebrows and sparked debate about what constitutes proper mental readiness for professional competition.
The Brazilian-American MMA star, who has developed a reputation for relying heavily on her canine companions for emotional support, recently revealed that she wanted to bring one of her dogs to a UFC walkout — a request that was swiftly denied by the athletic commission overseeing the event.
Dern’s deep connection with her dogs has become a defining characteristic of her career. Currently owning multiple dogs including an American bulldog and a Cane Corso, the MMA star has been open about how her four-legged friends serve as more than just pets — they’re integral to her mental preparation and overall well-being.
“He went to my fight with me,” Dern revealed about one of her dogs during a recent appearance on Talk Tuah, highlighting the profound bond between MMA star and pet. The connection has become so significant that she’s noticed a direct correlation between her dogs’ presence and her performance inside the octagon. “All the fights that she’s gone, I’ve won. And all the fights she hasn’t gone, I’ve lost.”
This statistical superstition might seem harmless enough, but it apparently raised red flags when Dern approached officials about incorporating her massive Cane Corso into her walkout routine. The athletic commission’s response was swift and pointed: if an MMA star needs her dog present to feel ready to compete, perhaps she’s not mentally prepared for the rigors of professional mixed martial arts.
The commission’s stance reflects a broader concern about MMA stars’ psychological readiness and the potential safety implications of emotional dependencies that extend beyond traditional support systems. While emotional support animals have gained acceptance in many professional settings, the high-stakes world of professional mixed martial arts presents unique challenges.
Dern’s dogs, particularly her Cane Corso, are no ordinary companions.
“He’s good at protection, but man, he’s kind of like a big baby,”
she laughed while describing her massive dog’s personality. Despite their intimidating appearance, she admits her dogs are more likely to shower intruders with affection than aggression — a gentle nature that makes them perfect companions for someone who spends her days training in the violent world of mixed martial arts.
For Dern, who juggles the demanding responsibilities of being both a world-class MMA star and a mother to her five-year-old daughter, her dogs provide a stabilizing presence in an otherwise chaotic lifestyle. The MMA star’s relationship with her animals reflects a broader trend among professional athletes who rely on emotional support animals to manage the psychological pressures of elite competition.
However, the commission’s rejection of her walkout request suggests there may be limits to how far athletic organizations are willing to accommodate these support systems. The underlying message was clear: while emotional support is valuable, professional MMA stars must ultimately be able to perform without external dependencies that could be seen as crutches.
