VIDEO | BJJ whiz Mackenzie Dern gets tapped out in Rio de Janeiro

Mackenzie Dern is one of the most recognizable names in grappling. Having gone 3-0 in MMA – including a 2016 Submission of the Year contender over Montana Stewart – she’s also becoming one of the biggest names in women’s mixed martial arts.

Unfortunately, Dern had a bit of a rough night in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, last night. Competing in the absolute division of the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Rio Falls event at the Tijuca Tênis Clube, she ultimately found herself on the mat with three-time world champion Bia Mesquita. Despite Dern’s renown in the grappling world, this one turned out to be a bit of a blowout for Mesquita, who quickly took Dern down, secured her back, and locked up a choke for the win.

Watch Mesquita’s shockingly abrupt defeat of the highly regarded Mackenzie Dern in the video at the top of this post.

It’s hard to say how Dern will rebound from this loss in Rio De Janeiro – though it is certainly a nice feather in Mesquita’s hat! The good news for Dern, of course, is that she’s already commenced talks with the UFC. The outcome of this grappling match isn’t likely to hinder the organization’s interest in her.

“The UFC talked to us already,” Dern recently told MMA Junkie. “My team and my coaches, we talked with them, and we definitely want to – I want to be there. I’m hoping in 2017 I’ll be there. But I don’t want to get just thrown into the shark tank. I want to go in there being a shark. I don’t want to be the fish for the sharks.”

“I respect all the girls there, and I know they’re at the highest level. It’s not jiu-jitsu. It’s a different sport. And I know that jiu-jitsu can help me for so long, but I know that sooner or later, I’ll have to be ready to take them down or something like that. So we’re just taking our time. I hope in 2017 I can be in the UFC. We’re just being patient and trying to get better as fast as possible. And while I’m doing that, I’m just enjoying the process.”

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/2/2017.