“I was able to submit [Namajunas] in a grappling tournament in December for Fury FC. Obviously, it’s grappling, it’s an entirely different world, but it does mean the world to me to share the stage with her and get a win in 65 seconds. It’s definitely a confidence boost, but there’s a complete difference between grappling and MMA grappling, so whenever I get that win in the MMA scene, then that’s when it’ll mean something [more] to me.”
This weekend, Robertson challenges the undefeated Piera Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs Allen. After making a splash on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Rodriguez earned impressive victories over Kay Hansen and Sam Hughes in her 2022 campaign. Rodriguez is a well-rounded fighter; she mixes striking, clinch work and grappling into her offense. Robertson’s jiu-jitsu will be at the forefront to neutralize whatever Rodriguez decides to throw her way on Saturday.
“I think this is an obvious answer,” Robertson joked regarding her gameplan for her UFC strawweight debut. “Everybody always knows that I’m a jiu-jitsu girl; I love to be able to display a lot of ground-and-pound, really do some damage there and, obviously, my rear naked choke’s my thing. These girls keep falling into it, so I’d love to get another one.
“[Rodriguez] is definitely tough, she’s undefeated for a reason. She’s a smart fighter, but she’s never really been tested, and she’s never been dragged into deep waters. I feel like once we’re touching each other, it’s just going to be a different world that she’s not used to.”
