UFC 330 live blog: Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson

This is the UFC 330 live blog for Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson, the strawweight championship co-main event Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Dern is currently ranked at No. 7 on the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound chart, while Robertson is No. 6 at 115 pounds in the Global Rankings.

This is the first title defense for Dern (16-5), who became champion this past October at UFC 321 where she defeated Virna Jandiroba to win a belt vacated by Zhang Weili. Dern, a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion prior to pursuing a career in MMA, struggled to find consistency early in her UFC career, but strung together three crucial wins to put gold around her waist. She can cement herself as the true queen of the strawweight division with an impressive performance against Robertson.

Canada’s Robertson (17-8) looks to become the first woman from her country to become UFC champion. Before Robertson, Alexis Davis, Valerie Letourneau, and Felicia Spencer all had their shot, but none were able to finish the story. Robertson began her UFC run as a flyweight but dropped down to 115 pounds and has since won five straight fights to earn her shot. She currently holds the record for the most UFC submissions by female fighter (7).

Check out the UFC 330 live blog for Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson below.

Preamble

Mackenzie Dern! Defending champion! It’s real!

You know what’s more real? Gillian Robertson could become the first Canadian woman ever to become UFC champion and the first Canadian to win UFC gold since Georges St-Pierre. Kind of crazy when you think about it, eh?

Always tell me the odds

Plenty of respect for the champ as she’s a comfortable favorite at -215, per FanDuel. Robertson the underdog at +180.

Round 1

Keith Peterson the referee for your co-main event.

Dern aggressive with the jab, she’s eager to advance. Robertson with the first takedown attempt, Dern holding strong. She’s controlling Robertson’s head as she pushes her to the fence. Robertson reverses the position then separates. Robertson telegraphs a takedown attempt and Dern easily avoids it.

Dern breaks up a jab battle with a nice left hook on target. She definitely looks more comfortable standing, there’s a power advantage, too. Dern punches her way in, nice level change, and she gets the takedown. The champ staying busy, sneaking in strikes where she can while controlling Robertson. Dern in Robertson’s half guard, she hunts for a kimura. Good job by Robertson to break that attempt up, but Dern is staying heavy.

Beautiful jiu-jitsu from Dern as she moves to Robertson’s back and gets a hook in. Dern all-in on a choke and that is clooooooooose. Robertson just manages to shift into an angle to stifle the choke and she puts a thumb up as the round comes to an end. Great round for Dern.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern.

Round 2

Dern immediately gets the takedown. Her confidence is through the roof and technique is on point. Robertson staying calm, but Dern is slicing through her guard like butter. Looking bad for the Canadian. Dern again working to take the back and with a lot of time left on the clock this time. The end could be nigh.

Choke attempt from Dern, Robertson trying to turn into it and she manages to get there. The challenger in top position now, Dern keeping her legs in position to attack form bottom. Robertson fighting to keep Dern away from her leg. They roll on the mat, legs tangled, Dern still threatening the leg. Robertson attacking with hammerfists, not enough to deter Dern. After all that, it’s Dern on top now, still forcing Robertson to defend the leg. The champ content to sit on Robertson, another round presumably in the books.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern. Overall, 20-18 Dern.

Round 3

Dern looking comfortable with her boxing. It’s target practice for Dern right now. Robertson busy on the feet, but there’s not a lot on these punches. She stuffs a Dern takedown attempt and lands a few short uppercuts in the clinch. Dern pressuring her against the fence.

The separate and Robertson starts to land a few jabs. Dern with a hard right. Robertson connects with a left. Dern answers with a body kick. More jabs from Robertson, she’s putting in an effort, at least. Dern with some excellent lateral movement to keep Robertson guessing. Takedown from Dern with a minute left.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern. Overall, 30-27 Dern.

Round 4

Dern still looking springy on the feet. Early takedown attempt and she has Robertson on her back. This could be the beginning of the end. Dern aggressively working to take the back again. Lots of time to work as Dern hunts for a choke.

Robertson completely stuck as Dern just rides this position out, completely locked on. The challenger has done zilch in this round. And just like that, Robertson manages to slip out of position and end up on top, but time is ticking away and it’s Dern on the offense with an armbar attempt from bottom. Robertson stacking Dern up, but that’s about it. Robertson trying to sneak in punches to close the round but that’s not doing much.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern. Overall, 40-36 Dern.

Round 5

Robertson chasing Dern and throwing out strikes, but she needs to take a big risk here to salvage this performance. Takedown by Robertson, but is it too little too late? About three and half minutes left.

Robertson in Dern’s guard and she’s looking for offense, Dern active from the bottom. The challenger clearly winning this round, but she needs a finish, not a 10-9. Dern not in any significant danger with under two minutes remaining. It doesn’t look like Robertson is going to find it here. At least she took a round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Robertson. Overall, 49-46 Dern.

Official result: Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)