Mackenzie Jean Vellenoweth (Macca Jean) is a rising star on the New Zealand kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai circuit, having amassed a record of 16-1 in less than two years of competition.

20-year-old Macca comes from an extensive Tae Kwondo background, winning gold in numerous national competitions and being ranked number one in New Zealand at 67kg in 2019.

Macca Jean fights out of the Combat Centre in Auckland under trainer Vin Mahoni. She first transitioned from Tae Kwondo to boxing in February 2019, picking up a 4-0 boxing record before moving towards kickboxing and Muay Thai.

She now holds the IKBF New Zealand 63.5kg title and the King of Kings 62kg tag-team title.

Macca was a finalist in last Saturday’s Vendetta eight-woman tournament, defeating Mel Dykes and Gentiane Lupi before losing a split decision to Melody Downs in the final.

Fight News interviewed Macca about her fighting future.

Hi Macca. Your coach told me that you live at the gym. What brought that on?

“I’m just here all the time, and he said that I may as well live here, so I was like ‘ok’, haha.”

Being an undefeated fighter, did you feel pressure coming into the Vendetta tournament final?

“No, I didn’t. I was just really excited. I didn’t feel pressure at all.”

You went to a split decision with arguably the best female Muay Thai fighter in New Zealand. What did you learn from the experience?

“Yeah I learned a lot about how to go into the ring and how to prep. I find I fight best when I enjoy myself and I learned that throughout the three fights.

“The first fight I was nervous, I had to get into it. That’s why the three fights were really good; the more I carried on, the more I started to enjoy myself the better I fought.”

Did you have any bumps and bruises from the previous fights heading into the final?

“Yeah I had a cut from the fight with Gentiane. That was the only thing, everything else was sweet.”

Macca Jean lands a knee against Melody Downs in their tournament final bout (photo: Bradley Powdrell).

Your fight against Melody was your only loss, was she the toughest person you’ve fought?

“Yeah, definitely. I loved it though, it was one of the funnest fights I’ve had, eh.”

How quickly were you back in the gym?

“Monday. I have another fight two weeks later.”

You come from a Tae Kwondo background. How much of the technique transfers over to kickboxing and Muay Thai?

“I struggled a bit at the start, because there’s a lot of little things about the way you kick. It was quite hard, but I took the things from Tae Kwondo that actually work, like the back-kick and side-kick, and got rid of everything else.

“So, I kind of pick and choose what works, when it works. It’s good to have [those skills] as a bit of a backup.”

When did you make the switch to training boxing/kickboxing, and what brought it on?

“I did Tae Kwondo for ages, I think I just got bored of it. So, I did some boxing just for fitness and ended up liking it.

“It was one of those things where I didn’t want to like it, but I ended up liking it. I dunno how but I ended up fighting.”

Given that you’ve been broadening your skill set out, is MMA something you’re looking at in the future?

“Yeah, definitely, that’s one of the goals; to move into MMA. I’ve had a few jiu-jitsu fights and definitely next year keen for some more.”

Your fight against Capri Lonie next weekend at Ultimate Rage, is that for a title?

“Yeah it’s for another vacant IKBF belt.”

You’ve risen to fighting the elite players in New Zealand in less than two years. What have you got in your sights for 2021?

“Just to get more experience, get as much ring time as I can, and to start to do more jiu-jitsu and wrestling and get into the MMA scene. Just more fights.”

What is your favourite ruleset to fight under so far, kickboxing or Muay Thai?

“I really like Muay Thai. This [last weekend’s tournament] was my first full Muay Thai fight. I really enjoyed it.”

Is there anyone in particular you want to thank for supporting you on your journey?

“Yeah, everyone at the Combat Centre, my coach Vin [Mahoni] and all of the other coaches who have held pads for me; Ben, Lee, and just everyone that’s been supportive like friends and family.

“Also Leaton Performance & Rehabilitation for helping with my strength and conditioning, and Nexus Barbershop Westgate for their sponsorship.”

Thanks for the interview Macca. All the best for your title fight next weekend.

You can follow Macca Jean on her athlete Facebook page or her Instagram: @mackenzieee.jean. She will fight next Saturday, December 12 against Capri Lonie on the Ultimate Rage card at ABA Stadium in Eden Terrace.