A UFC reporter is garnering some scorn after asking a question to fighter Mackenzie Dern that fans have branded ‘creepy’.
Dern, the No. 5 ranked UFC strawweight fighter, is preparing for her second fight of the year at UFC 321 this weekend.
She’s set to face off against No. 1 ranked Virna Jandiroba for the strawweight title, but took questions from reporters before the event.
One question complimented on the 32-year-old’s good looks before inquiring about her workout routine.
‘UFC fans like you not just for your aggressive nature and your fighting style in the Octagon, but also your good looks,’ the question began.
‘So the question is how many times a week do you squat and what’s your squatting weight?’
Strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern was asked about her squatting habits by the media
MMA fans slammed the reporter for asking such a question before a title fight
Dern is set to fight No. 1 ranked Virna Jandiroba for the vacant UFC Strawweight Championship
Dern laughed off the question before answering: ‘Every single day I squat, a lot of repetitions… I work a lot.’
She seemed caught off guard by the question, turning to the side and giving a thumbs up to someone in the crowd.
MMA fans took to the comments on X to blast the reporter for such an awkward question.
‘I don’t wanna be a Karen or anything, but that guy should be jobless immediately. MMA media is at an all time low right now,’ wrote one user.
Another said, ‘Sometimes reporters forget the cameras are rolling and millions are watching.’
‘Reminds me of 17 year old me shooting my shot by trying to give a compliment, but the 2 minute rant comes out CREEPY AF!’ remarked another.
One said sarcastically, ‘It’s important for MMA media to ask a fighter about to have a title shot about their ass, during a fight week press conference.’
Dern is putting her 15-5 record up against Jandiroba, a fighter she previously beat by unanimous decision at UFC 256 back in December of 2020. The winner will claim the strawweight belt vacated by Zhang Weili when she moved up to flyweight.
