Gillian Robertson can make history at UFC 330.

Robertson is set to challenge for the UFC strawweight title against Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. After Robertson's last win against Amanda Lemos, she thought she had done enough to get a title shot, and the UFC brass confirmed shortly after.

“I think I did do enough, but I wasn't happy with my performance,†Robertson said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Coming out of the cage, legit, after my first couple of steps, Hunter Campbell was there and said I was getting a title shot. Then, they brought me back to Dana, and he told me the same thing. So, right after the fight, I knew it was solidified.â€

Heading into UFC 330, Robertson will be competing in her 21st UFC fight. It's been a long journey for the Canadian as she looks to become the first female Canadian UFC champion in history.

“I have had the longest journey for a female to a title in the UFC. It's been a crazy journey; I'm just here in the fights. Obviosuly the title is big; I just want to perform and fight. … Being the first female Canadian UFC champ, just saying that is unreal. And maybe we can get a surge in Canadians; we need more in the sport,†Robertson added.

Gillian Robertson eyes TKO win at UFC 330

However, to do that, Robertson will need to beat Dern, which is easier said than done.

Gillian Robertson knows Mackenzie Dern is an elite grappler. But she believes her aggression on the ground will be the difference.

“If Mackenzie and I competed in straight jiu-jitsu, she might be a better grappler than me. But when it comes to MMA, I'm the best on the ground. There is no pressure or aggression like mine; I feel like it will be a different world than hers,†Robertson said.

Ultimately, Robertson believes the aggression on the ground will lead to a TKO win and hearing Bruce Buffer say ‘And New.'

“I see this very much as an MMA fight, being all over the place. In the striking, the clinch, the ground, it won't solely be one aspect. … The way for me to win is to make it dirty, use ground and pound, elbows. She will be tough to submit; I will be looking for that, but I think a TKO is more likely for me,†Robertson said.

If Robertson gets her hand raised, she wants her first title defense to be against Zhang Weili.

“100 percent. Mackenzie is facing it right now, and I will face it as soon as I get the belt. Everybody doesn't call her the champ; everyone says Weili is the champ. You need to beat her to solidify yourself. It has to be the first fight after the belt,†Robertson concluded.

Do you think Gillian Robertson will beat Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Zuffa LLC

Joe Rogan wouldn't be surprised if Islam Makhachev walks away from pro MMA competition on Saturday.

Makhachev will be making his first defense of the welterweight title in the UFC 330 main event. The champion's legacy has already been cemented having won titles in two different weight classes and only suffering one loss, which took place all the way back in 2015. While the likes of Conor McGregor believe Makhachev has plenty of fight left, other aren't so sure that the pound-for-pound great will stick around.

Speaking to Aljamain Sterling during an episode of the “JRE MMA Show,†Rogan said he wouldn't doubt the welterweight title being vacated following UFC 330 if Makhachev scores another win.

“Islam may retire,†Rogan said. “He may retire. He's done a lot. He's competed in two different weight classes and won world championships in two different weight classes. If he beats Ian, if he submits Ian and says, ‘I've had enough. I'm gonna do what Khabib [Nurmagomedov] did, and I'm gonna coach now,' I could see that. And then, I could see [Michael] Morales and [Carlos] Prates for the [expletive] undisputed title.â€

If that is indeed Makhachev's plan, then Garry will want to play spoiler. The title contender has vowed to knock the 170-pound champion out in decisive fashion rather than a flash. Garry's frenemy Carlos Prates has predicted that “The Future†will take the UFC welterweight gold from Makhachev via decision.

A retirement for Makhachev would open the door for some rising welterweights. Rogan mentioned the possibility of Michael Morales and Prates fighting for the vacant welterweight title. Both men have been praised for their finishing abilities and exciting fighting styles, but whether or not Makhachev will stick around remains to be seen.

Do you agree with Joe Rogan, or would you be surprised if Islam Makhachev calls it a career once UFC 330 concludes? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Zuffa LLC

Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates may have been chummy following their April 2025 clash, but “The Future†is all business inside the Octagon.

Garry has been telling reporters that Prates is the most deserving contender in the welterweight division. The Irish contender's thoughts might be pivotal depending on the outcome of the UFC 330 main event. Garry is set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday in Philadelphia.

During a media day scrum (video via Home of Fight), “The Future†said he plans on capturing UFC gold and putting his title at stake against Prates, but he warned the Brazilian bruiser that he's in for a rude awakening.

“Carlos Prates has earned it,†Garry said. “Nobody else in the entire division has earned it. They all need to fight at least one more fight. Prates is coming off two fights against two guys that have never been finished and he did it in insane fashion, and I whooped his ass for 24 minutes, and I did it on three weeks' notice. So, if he wants to give me three, four months, he's knows what's gonna happen. He'll be able to sleep well after the next one.â€

After falling short in a competitive fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov back in 2024, Garry took on Prates in Kansas City the following year. Garry was in control throughout the fight before “The Nightmare†made a late rally attempt prior to the final horn. “The Future†won the bout via unanimous decision.

Since that fight, Prates has gone on a three-fight winning streak. He knocked out Geoff Neal with one second left in the opening round at UFC 319. Prates followed that up with a brutal second-round knockout finish over former UFC welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards. He then cemented himself as a top contender with his third-round TKO victory over another former champion in Jack Della Maddalena.

If Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates fight again, who would you give the edge to? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM