As the world focuses on the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry title fight atop UFC 330, it seems like Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson for the women’s strawweight title is getting overlooked a little bit. There just isn’t a ton of heat on that fight, at least not amongst the public.
Robertson, though, has made the fight personal, declaring she doesn’t like Dern because the champ keeps pretending she doesn’t know about any of her accomplishments.
“Well, we’re gonna fight each other Saturday,
I don’t think we’re supposed to like each other, you know?” Robertson said at the UFC 330 press conference. “And I feel like she has been diminishing my skills through the media and stuff. Just saying that she doesn’t know what belt I am, she doesn’t know who I am. But she’s also trying to chase the submission record, which I have. So it seems kinda weird.”
In the face of such disrespect, Robertson said she’d love to tap out Dern.
“That would definitely be a cherry on top, adding to my submission record,” she said. “And then I’d have the most finishes as well!”
Dern continued to insist there was no real beef between the two of them, mainly because they’d never had any encounters before arriving in Philadelphia.
“The only time we talked to each other was — actually, we didn’t talk to each other,” Dern said. “The only time we saw each other was at the face off. And I mean, it just feels like we’re in high school. Like, ‘Oh, who doesn’t like each other,’ you know?”
“I guess the best time we’re gonna get to know each other is in the octagon for twenty five minutes. So that’s really about it.”
Dern dismissed Robertson’s claims that she’s not a complete mixed martial artist.
“No, I’m the champion!” she said with a big smile. “I was not just jiu jitsu. I won my title fight elbowing from the bottom, striking, grappling. She says my wrestling isn’t that good. Obviously, I’ve been training my wrestling. I’m not going in there just to do a jiu jitsu match with her. If she wants to take me to the ground, then of course we’re gonna have jiu jitsu, but I’m the champ, so I’m doing everything.”
Dern is a -245 favorite over +186 dog Robertson. As far as who will get a tap between the two jiu jitsu specialists if things go to the ground? Bookies have Dern the massive favorite, with a +220 chance to submit Robertson. Anyone brave enough to put Robertson via submission will get some hefty +1400 odds.
