UFC 330: Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson Preview & Prediction
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The strawweight title is on the line in the co-main event of the evening, with Mackenzie Dern defending her strap against Gillian Robertson.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson facts
What time are Mackenzie Dern and Gillian Robertson expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 330
What TV channel is UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry main card
Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight)
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight)
Charles Johnson vs Eduardo Henrique (Flyweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dustin Stoltzfus (Middleweight)
Edson Barboza vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry prelims
Chidi Njokuani vs Joel Alvarez (Welterweight)
Jalin Turner vs Kaue Fernandes (Lightweight)
Donte Johnson vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Vicente Luque vs Tresean Gore (Welterweight)
Rafael Tobias vs Lucas Fernando (Light Heavyweight)
Neil Magny vs Ramiz Brahimaj (Welterweight)
Jeremiah Wells vs Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)
Mackenzie Dern: The BJJ prodigy looks to kickstart her title reign in style
Poised to make her first defense of the UFC strawweight title since winning the vacant belt against Virna Jandiroba last time out, Mackenzie Dern (16-5) looks to stamp her authority on the division and add to a two fight win streak. One of the finest BJJ practitioners to ever compete in WMMA, Dern is an ever present threat on the ground, capable of snatching a limb or taking the back to finish the fight in an instant. Her goofy striking and porous defense remains an Achilles heel in her overall game, but she’s actually surprisingly effective in a kickboxing fight against opponents who doesn’t pose a KO threat.
Gillian Robertson: The prolific finisher aiming to shock the world
One of the most battle-hardened veterans in the UFC’s female divisions, Gillian Robertson (17-8) carries a five fight win streak into her first shot at UFC gold. “The Savage” is 14-6 across two weight divisions in the promotion since debuting as a fresh-faced 2-2 prospect, garnering a reputation as one of the most prolific WMMA finishers on the roster. While Robertson has serviceable striking, she’s at her best when she’s able to drag her opponents down and work her BJJ, punctuating submission attempts with spiteful GNP. She can finish her opponents with outright strikes on the floor or find openings in amongst the damage to score a tap.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson prediction
Robertson is great; the Canadian always comes to scrap and aggressively tries to force a finish in a manner that is often lacking from WMMA.
With that being said, it’s hard to see how she wins this one. “The Savage” does her best work when she’s able to force the action to the floor and unleash GNP or hunt for submissions, an approach that doesn’t figure to work well against one of the most decorated female BJJ practitioners of all time.
Dern is incredibly open on the feet and can be outmuscled, but Robertson doesn’t have the KO power of a Jessica Andrade, or the physicality of an Amanda Lemos. As such, while the Brazilian’s chin is ripe for a clean striker to send her astral traveling, I don’t see Robertson landing the shocking KO out of nowhere; she hasn’t scored a single knockdown in 20 fights with the promotion.
If “The Savage” isn’t going to change the fighting style that got her to the title, I just don’t see her usual approach working against Dern. Should Robertson attempt to impose her will against the Brazilian on the ground, it’s not going to end well for her. Accordingly, this could well be an uninspiring kickboxing battle, an area where I give the slight edge to Dern. The pick is the champion by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Mackenzie Dern to win by decision
