Canada’s Gillian Robertson was looking for her second straight victory when she stepped in on short notice against JJ Aldrich at UFC Vegas 50 on Saturday.
Robertson, entering off a submission of Priscila Cachoeira, had jumped into the fight just a few weeks out. Aldrich for her part had won her last two, going the distance on both occasions.
Robertson had her kicks going early in Vegas on Saturday, as the flyweight pair worked to find their range. Aldrich came close to catching one of those kicks, but couldn’t hold on to it. Instead, Robertson backed off, and stayed patient, not trying to force anything. She finally shot for a single leg, but was too far out. Back on the feet, Robertson landed an outside leg kick; Aldrich connected with her left hand.
Just as things were picking up, the ref called time, as both fighters had pawed at the other’s face, with Robertson’s fingers grazing Aldrich’s eye. Both fighters were warned, and the fight resumed. Aldrich stayed outside, with Robertson firing front kicks; a Robertson combo caused Aldrich to stumble, but she appeared more off-balance than hurt. In the final minute, Robertson caught a leg, a much better attempt at a takedown, but she couldn’t land it. Right at the end of the round, Aldrich landed her own takedown in response to a Robertson kick.
In the second, it took some time, but Robertson finally grabbed a leg, stayed on it, then simply dragged Aldrich down. That gave Robertson the back, but Aldrich reversed, leaving the Canadian to work from guard. Aldrich tried some ground n’ pound and even a shoulder strike before allowing Robertson back to her feet. Robertson shot, Aldrich sprawled, stuffing another takedown. At the end of the round, Robertson caught a sharp kick, then ate a few hammer fists for her efforts.
Heading into the third, there was a very high certainty that Robertson would need a finish. Already holding the finish and submissions record for the division, that was still very possible. Robertson pressed forward, continuing to throw kicks behind her combos. But when the pair clinched, Aldrich reversed, putting Roberston’s back to the fence. They wouldn’t stay there long, but time was absolutely becoming a factor for Robertson. In the final minute, she pulled guard, looking for a Hail Mary submission, but Aldrich settled into guard.
After the full fifteen minutes, there wasn’t much of a question for the judges. Not a high action fight, but Aldrich had controlled on the feet, fought off the takedowns, and had the edge in control time.
Official Result: JJ Aldrich def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
