Gillian Robertson

Gillian Robertson (born May 17, 1995) is a Canadian mixed martial artist (MMA). She currently competes in the Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 2, 2024, she is #13 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Background
Robertson was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She started cardio kickboxing training at the age of 16 at American Top Team. She then joined MMA classes after a few months and started competing two years later.

Early career


Robertson started her professional MMA career since 2016 after amassed a record of 9–1 in amateur fights. After fighting in five professional bouts she participated in The Ultimate Fighter 26 competition series and was subsequently signed by the UFC after the show.

The Ultimate Fighter
In August 2017, it was announced that Robertson was one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, UFC TV series, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound women's champion will take place.

In the preliminary fights, Robertson faced Barb Honchak and lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Robertson made her UFC debut on December 1, 2017, on The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale against Emily Whitmire. She won the fight via a submission in round one.

Her next fight came on May 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till against Molly McCann. At the weigh-ins, McCann weighed in at 127 pounds, 1 pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. She was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to Robertson. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two.

On September 22, 2018, Robertson faced Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders. She lost the fight via a submission in round one.

Robertson faced Veronica Macedo on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos. She won the fight via submission in the second round.

Robertson faced Sarah Frota on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240. She won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

In the lead up to the Frota fight, Robertson would begin training with Jose Torres and coach Din Thomas at ATT. This was beginning of their partnership once Thomas and the two fighters left ATT.

Robertson faced Maycee Barber on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6. She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Robertson was expected to face Taila Santos on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov. Due to undisclosed reasons, Robertson's opponent changed and she instead faced Cortney Casey. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.

Ahead of her fight with Botelho, Robertson was given her black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by coach Din Thomas. Robertson described the event as emotional and joyous after nine years of work.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Robertson left American Top Team with her head coach, Din Thomas and teammate Jose Torres.

Robertson faced Poliana Botelho on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Robertson was scheduled to face Andrea Lee on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256. However, Lee pulled out in early December due to a broken nose and Robertson faced Taila Santos instead at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal. Robertson lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Robertson was next expected to face Miranda Maverick at UFC 258 on February 13, 2021. However, hours before the fight, Robertson had a non-COVID related illness and the bout was cancelled. The pair eventually was reschedule to UFC 260 on March 27, 2021. Robertson lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Robertson faced Priscila Cachoeira on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269. At the weigh-ins, Cachoeira weighed in at 129 pounds, three pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Cachoeira fined 30% of her purse, which went to Robertson. Robertson won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Robertson faced JJ Aldrich, replacing Ariane Lipski, on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 203. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Robertson was scheduled to face Melissa Gatto on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. However, Gatto was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons, and she was replaced by Mariya Agapova. Robertson won the fight via rear-naked choke.

Robertson faced Piera Rodríguez on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44. She won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Robertson faced Tabatha Ricci on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Robertson faced Polyana Viana on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297. She won by technical knockout in the second round after dominating most of the bout on the ground. This fight earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Robertson was expected to face Michelle Waterson-Gomez on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to June 29, 2024 at UFC 303. Robertson controlled the majority of the bout on the ground and won the fight by unanimous decision.

2020-2021
Robertson has competed for the professional grappling promotion Submission Underground on several occasions while her MMA career was ongoing. At SUG 17 on August 30, 2020, she faced Amanda Loewen and lost by armbar in EBI overtime. She returned at SUG 20 for the promotion's end of year event on December 30, 2020, and submitted Pearl Gonzalez with a rear-naked choke inside regulation time. At SUG 22 on April 25, 2021, Robertson faced Liz Tracy and was lost by armbar in EBI overtime. She then returned at SUG 23 on May 23, 2021, where she faced top BJJ competitor Raquel Canuto and was submitted with a guillotine in regulation time. At SUG 26 on August 15, 2021, Robertson faced fellow UFC veteran and former UFC Women's Flyweight Championship challenger Katlyn Chookagian and won by fastest escape time in EBI overtime.

Robertson also took part in a bantamweight Combat Jiu-Jitsu tournament at Medusa 1 on October 2, 2021, getting submitted with a kneebar in the opening round by Nikki Sullivan. She faced Chrissy Briggs in a grappling match on the preliminary card of Fury Pro Grappling 3 on December 30, 2021, winning a unanimous decision victory.

2022-2024
Robertson returned to the promotion at Fury Pro Grappling 6 on December 30, 2022, to face former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas in the main event, submitting her with a rear-naked choke in 65 seconds.

Robertson competed against Montana De La Rosa in the main event of Pit Submission Series 3 on March 23, 2024. She won via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Piera Rodríguez and Polyana Viana
 * Most finishes in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (7)
 * Most submission wins in UFC Women's history (7)
 * Most submission wins in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (6)
 * Tied (Andrea Lee for second most bouts in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (13)
 * Tied (Jéssica Andrade) for second most finishes in UFC Women's history (9) (behind Amanda Nunes)
 * Tied (Andrea Lee) for second most takedowns landed in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (21)
 * Tied (Maycee Barber) for third most wins in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (8)
 * Highest top position percentage in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (41.9%)
 * Second most control time in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (54:16)
 * Second highest control time percentage in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (44.6%)
 * Second most top position time in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (50:57)
 * Second most submission attempts in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (8)