Dern Answers Robertson After Grappling Claims

Mackenzie Dern retained her strawweight title at UFC 330, outgrappling Gillian Robertson across five rounds after the challenger had loudly claimed to be the better ground fighter heading into the bout.

Dern won by lopsided decision Saturday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, per Sherdog, controlling the Canadian challenger on the mat for long stretches but falling short of the finish she wanted. Robertson had been outspoken before the fight about her grappling superiority, and Dern admitted afterward that submitting her opponent had been the goal.

Dern Credits Robertson's Defense In Championship Rounds

The champion told Joe Rogan in her post-fight interview that fatigue and Robertson's defensive skills prevented the submission. "I try to get submissions in all my fights," she said. "I wish I could do some more damage to set up the submissions better, but she's good. Like in the fourth and fifth rounds, my legs started to feel a little bit tired."

Dern showcased improved wrestling and striking in her first title defense but leaned heavily on her credentialed jiu-jitsu to seal the win. She acknowledged getting taken down multiple times and credited her wrestling work in camp for retaining the belt.

Robertson weathered the storm across 25 minutes but could not answer Dern's grappling pressure on the scorecards. The champion moves forward with the strap intact and a decisive answer to the challenger's pre-fight trash talk.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Gillian Robertson said she was the better grappler; Dern had her answer