This was an independent, personal project about UFC fighter Mackenzie Der. The idea was to capture her in her environment, doing her thing: training, getting punched in the face, and raising her daughter, Moa. At the end of the day, she's just another person, like everyone else. From a friend's perspective, she's an amazing, loving, caring, and easygoing person who just wants to live her life and be the best she can be for the people around her. Life in the spotlight makes that a bit more difficult, so I wanted to document how she copes with all the challenges she faces in and out of the ring, whether it's keeping in shape for upcoming fights or the most ordinary things like managing her time to go for an ice cream by the pier with Moa.

Directed, shot, and edited by Ian Tavares

Color graded by Tiago Silva

Sound design by Francisco Schlingensiepen

35mm stills by Kevin Jansen