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UFC 330 live blog: Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson

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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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Dern says she's “super happy†about the title defense and worked on her wrestling a lot. She wanted the submission, but gives Robertson credit for her grappling.

Zhang Weili callout? Sadly, nope.

No post-fight interview for Robertson? Come on!

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Raoni Barcelos still has no diagnosis after losing consciousness in UFC fight

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Raoni Barcelos still has no diagnosis after losing consciousness in UFC fight
Raoni
Barcelos says medical testing has yet to determine why he lost
consciousness during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner against Raul Rosas
Jr.

Barcelos faced Rosas Jr. in the main event of
UFC Vegas 121 last month. The Brazilian led on the judges'
scorecards entering the fifth round but lost consciousness during a
grappling exchange against the fence. Rosas Jr. was awarded a
technical knockout victory, and the 39-year-old Barcelos was
transported to a Level 1 trauma center.

Raoni Barcelos undergoes medical tests after losing
consciousness against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Vegas 121

Barcelos said he is undergoing tests in Las Vegas to determine what
happened. He hopes to continue fighting but has not ruled out
retirement.

“Unfortunately, we don't know what happened,†Barcelos told MMA
Fighting. “It was a sudden illness. I fell ill and I felt my whole
body really starting to go numb. After that, I don't remember
anything. I only remember [arriving] in the ambulance, asking my
father what happened, and him trying to explain it as best as he
could. It really was an unfortunate [circumstance]. I got sick and
to this day we still don't understand. I'm undergoing a battery of
tests here in [Las] Vegas. I had another on Monday and we're
waiting for a good result. The doctor hasn't released the results
yet and everything is being kept confidential. But I feel better
every day.â€

Barcelos (22-6) entered the bout on a five-fight winning streak. He
has competed in the UFC since 2018, compiling an 11-5 promotional
record with victories over Said
Nurmagomedov, Cody
Garbrandt and Payton
Talbott.

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Jasmine Jasudavicius expects Erin Blanchfield to wrestle 'once she feels these hands' at UFC Edmonton

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Jasmine Jasudavicius expects Erin Blanchfield to wrestle 'once she feels these hands' at UFC Edmonton

Jasmine Jasudavicius is looking to cement herself as a title contender at UFC Edmonton.

Jasudavicius is set to take on Erin Blanchfield in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton. Jasudavicius enters the bout as a +255 underdog while the American is a -350 favorite on FanDuel. The fight was supposed to happen at UFC 330 in August, but an injury to Blanchfield delayed it to August. Although the Canadian was frustrated to have the fight postponed, she is ecstatic for it to be taking place in Edmonton now.

“That is exactly it. It was like two weeks out that I heard it was being moved,†Jasudavicius said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Initially, I was so frustrated because I just put in a whole camp. I was ready, my weight was good, and I was firing on all cylinders. It got moved, and at least we are fighting in Canada now. This works out even better.â€

With extra time, Jasudavicius said she did take some time off to avoid burnout. But she also feels like the extra time will only help her, as she knows Blanchfield is one of the best in the world.

“She's talented; she's one of the top fighters in the world. I won't be talking too much shit. She's skilled, but I know how skilled I am, and I am ready to test myself against the best girls in the world,†Jasudavicius said.

Jasmine Jasudavicius hopeful to earn title shot at UFC Edmonton

Although Jasudavicius is an underdog, she has full confidence in her skillset. She believes she is better on the feet. So, she expects Blanchfield to try and wrestle her a ton, especially once she lands a couple of punches.

If Jasudavicius can turn Blanchfield into just a wrestler, she is confident she will be able to pull off the upset win at UFC Edmonton.

“I'm not too sure. I've watched all of her fights, and it's not like she's going to the wrestling right away; she is comfortable with striking. But I do think once she feels these hands, she will be shooting a little bit more. … My hand will be raised at the end of the night,†Jasudavicius said.

If Jasudavicius gets her hand raised, she believes it will cement her as a title contender at flyweight. And, it would set up a rematch with Natalia Silva, which the Canadian would be thrilled to get the chance to not only avenge her loss, but to take the belt off her.

“It would mean a lot; it's a big milestone,†Jasudavicius concluded. “Just getting into the UFC is a big deal; getting 10 fights in the UFC is a big deal; to get 10 wins is another feather in my cap. … That would be my dream. She gave me the lost which hurt, so if I can take the belt off her, it would fulfill me. I show well, say I finish Blanchfield, it would be me in the talks to get a title shot.â€

Do you think Jasmine Jasudavicius will beat Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Morning Report | Kayla Harrison opens up about injury layoff and possible retirement

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Morning Report | Kayla Harrison opens up about injury layoff and possible retirement

I know a lot of folks are looking ahead to UFC 333 next weekend, but up here in CANADA we're stoked for UFC Edmonton this Saturday, headlined by Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott.

OK, “stoked†might be overselling it a tad, but this card is not for you hosers! It's Canada vs. The World, with a ton of pressure on Malott to prove he's the real deal after being handed a top-10 opponent in Buckley. Time to deliver.

Who wins Saturday'a main event?

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