UFC Strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern is gearing up for her inaugural title defense against grappling expert Gillian Robertson. This highly anticipated bout, scheduled for UFC 330, shifts from the initially expected clash with former champion Zhang Weili. Dern is determined to assert her dominance and address critiques surrounding her championship status, especially concerning her submission prowess against Robertson, a formidable opponent in that discipline.
UFC Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern Discusses Upcoming Title Defense Against Gillian Robertson
In a recent interview on 'The Ariel Helwani Show' on Monday, June 29, 2026, UFC Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern opened up about her upcoming title defense against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330, scheduled for August 15. The 33-year-old champion, who clinched the vacant 115-pound title last October at UFC 321 with a decision victory over Virna Jandiroba, was initially slated to face former champion Zhang Weili. Zhang had departed the division in 2025 to pursue a flyweight title but ultimately fell short against pound-for-pound queen Valentina Shevchenko.
Dern expressed her uncertainty regarding the change in opponents, stating, "I can't give you that response. I don't know. They were talking about Weili. They had mentioned [UFC] Macau, then the White House, [then] New Jersey. So I'm not sure what happened or what's going on, but they came back with Gillian Robertson, I think, after her win against Amanda Lemos [in March]. ... I'm not sure what the deal with Weili is or what is happening."
Despite the unexpected turn, Dern remains unfazed by the delay in facing Zhang. She acknowledges the criticism that her championship reign is not legitimate because she did not defeat Zhang directly. However, Dern views the situation as an opportunity to further hone her skills and solidify her position. "I would be excited to fight her, but not in a pressure way, like I need to prove it to people. A lot of people say I'm not the champ because I didn't beat her," Dern explained. "For me, it would just be an honor, and I'd really like to test myself. It would be amazing to beat her, but if I have six more months or however many title fights I can get in and just get better and better and be more prepared to fight her, I'm excited for that."
The upcoming bout holds particular significance for Dern, as Robertson has publicly commented on Dern's jiu-jitsu abilities. While Dern is renowned for her exceptional grappling, Robertson holds the UFC record for most submissions among women. This rivalry has fueled Dern's motivation to secure her sixth UFC submission victory, aiming to become only the second fighter to submit Robertson. "I'd definitely like to submit her, just because she's kind of been someone who's been talking so much about submissions, and she's kind of been comparing herself a lot to me even before I was the champion," Dern asserted. "I don't know, I just feel like she's kind of thrown a little bit of shade, or putting down my accomplishments in jiu-jitsu as if I'm not this good jiu-jitsu fighter. So I'd definitely like to submit her."
Dern doesn't perceive Robertson's remarks as disrespect but rather as a potential misjudgment of her skills. She emphasized her extensive jiu-jitsu background, having trained since she was three years old and competed in numerous elite tournaments. "I know she has these [UFC] submissions, but I've never seen her at any IBJJF tournaments, ADCC, or the World Pro tournaments. There's no way she can't respect me," Dern stated, highlighting the depth of her experience.
Robertson's recent five-fight win streak has notably lacked submissions, relying instead on decisions and knockouts, showcasing her evolved wrestling and overall ground game. Dern anticipates Robertson will employ a strategy similar to Jandiroba's, focusing on takedowns and maintaining top control. However, Dern is prepared to counter this, stating, "I'm really focused on winning the fight as a whole and not stealing the rounds. I'm going out there to really feel why I'm the champion, and why I do have good submissions, and why I'm a good fighter."
Looking ahead, Dern, currently on a three-fight win streak, aims to extend it to four with a successful defense. She believes the fight will extend into the championship rounds, predicting a finish in the fourth or fifth round. "I feel like it's going to go to the fourth and fifth round just because I don't know if she's ever done five rounds," Dern concluded, expressing her desire to systematically dismantle her opponent.
This contest not only pits two elite grapplers against each other but also serves as a crucial moment for Dern to validate her title and silence her critics. Her determination to secure a definitive victory, particularly a submission, underscores the personal and professional stakes involved in this highly anticipated matchup. The strawweight division eagerly awaits the outcome, which promises to be a showcase of skill, strategy, and sheer will.
