Mackenzie Dern defends strawweight belt against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330 in Philadelphia
Mackenzie Dern prepares to defend her strawweight title at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026, facing Gillian Robertson. The fight marks the first title defense for the Brazilian, who won the honor in October 2025.
In addition to being her debut as champion, the clash also represents Dern’s first clash against an opponent with whom she doesn’t have a good relationship. During the event’s press conference, held on August 13, 2026, the fighter was asked about this dynamic.
On the same topic: Before UFC 330, Mackenzie Dern faces Gillian Robertson and shows off belt in Philadelphia
“We had no contact. We met on August 11, 2026,” said Dern, explaining the tension. “It sounds like a high school scene, with the idea that ‘these girls don’t get along’, but it will be in the fight that we will really get to know each other, during the 25 minutes we will spend in the Octagon.”
Canadian Gillian Robertson, recognized for having the most submissions (seven) in the UFC women’s category, showed the same coldness towards the champion. She expressed her conviction that a submission over Dern would be the ideal outcome for the dispute.
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“We’re going to face each other on August 15, 2026, we don’t have to like each other,” Robertson said. “I feel like she underestimates my abilities and doesn’t know me. I believe she wants to beat my submission record. We’ll see. Submitting Mackenzie would be the ‘icing on the cake’, consolidating my record.”
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Mackenzie Dern, multi-time jiu-jitsu champion and main name in the sport in MMA, emphasized that she is prepared to work in different areas of combat, not just limited to the ground.
“I’m the champion and I don’t just fight jiu-jitsu,” declared Dern. “I won the title fight with standing strikes. I’ve been training in wrestling and I’m not going in just to fight jiu-jitsu. As champion, I’m ready for anything.”
On the other hand, Robertson said that the fight might not even extend to the ground, and warned spectators about what to expect from the fight.
“I don’t think I’m even going to use jiu-jitsu. I’m going to resort to violence,” Robertson promised. “That’s what the public will witness.”
