Gillian Robertson: Story from the Niagara Falls to the UFC

Gillian Robertson, born on May 17, 1995, is a prominent mixed martial artist (MMA) hailing from Canada. She currently competes in the Strawweight division of the renowned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Born in the Niagara Falls

Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Robertson's passion for combat sports ignited at the age of 16 when she began training in cardio kickboxing at American Top Team. After a few months, she transitioned to MMA classes, and two years later, she embarked on her competitive journey.

In 2016, Robertson turned professional after an impressive amateur record of 9-1. Her skills and dedication caught the attention of The Ultimate Fighter 26, a UFC TV series aimed at crowning the inaugural 125-pound women's champion. Her participation in this prestigious competition earned her a contract with the UFC.

Debut in the UFC

Robertson made her UFC debut on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, where she faced Emily Whitmire. Displaying her prowess, Robertson secured a submission victory in the first round, signalling her arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the Strawweight division.

Continuing her winning streak, Robertson faced Molly McCann on May 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till. Although her opponent missed weight, resulting in a fine, Robertson showcased her skills by securing a rear-naked choke victory in the second round.

In September 2018, Robertson encountered Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders, suffering a submission loss in the first round. Undeterred, she rebounded in her next bout against Veronica Macedo on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos, securing a second-round submission win.

Robertson's resilience and determination were evident in her subsequent fights. She claimed a technical knockout victory in the second round against Sarah Frota at UFC 240 on July 27, 2019. Prior to the fight, she began training with Jose Torres and coach Din Thomas at American Top Team, marking the beginning of their fruitful partnership.

Setback against Maycee Barber

However, in October 2019, Robertson faced a setback when she suffered a technical knockout loss in the first round against Maycee Barber at UFC on ESPN 6. Nevertheless, she quickly bounced back, securing a rear-naked choke submission victory in the third round against Cortney Casey on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov.

Throughout her career, Robertson has shown tremendous growth, particularly in her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. She received her black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from coach Din Thomas, marking a significant milestone in her nine-year journey.

Robertson's perseverance continued as she faced Poliana Botelho on October 18, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180, winning the fight via unanimous decision. However, her subsequent bout against Taila Santos on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256 ended in a unanimous decision loss.

In her ongoing pursuit of success, Robertson faced Miranda Maverick at UFC 258 on February 13, 2021, but the bout was cancelled due to her illness hours before the fight. Eventually, they rescheduled their match for UFC 260 on March 27, 2021, which ended in a unanimous decision loss for Robertson.

Robertson's journey continued as she faced Priscila Cachoeira at UFC 269 on December 11, 2021, winning the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. She faced JJ Aldrich on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 203, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

In her most recent fights, Robertson showcased her skills and resilience. She secured a rear-naked choke victory against Mariya Agapova on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210, and an armbar submission win against Piera Rodríguez on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44, earning the Performance of the Night award for her exceptional performance. Here most recent fight came against Tabatha Ricci. 

What do you think of her journey so far? Let us know in the comments below.

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please login to leave a comment

0 Comments