A fight with potential title implications for the women’s strawweight division saw Amanda Lemos take on Gillian Robertson in the UFC Vegas 114 co-main event on Saturday.
Canada’s Robertson had hit new heights with a four-fight win streak, and already held several UFC records including most finishes, and most submissions, among women in the UFC. Lemos, a former title challenger, was looking to earn a new shot at gold with Mackenzie Dern holding the title.
Robertson, know for her love of “throat cuddles,” would be looking to get this one to the ground early. She moved forward cautiously, while Lemos bounced and moved on the outside, working her jab. Robertson clinched up just under a minute into the opening round, got an arm around the neck early, but couldn’t hang on to the Brazilian. Instead, they moved back to center, where Lemos had the edge.
Another clinch followed, just under two minutes in. Robertson changed levels, went after a single-leg, and had Lemos hopping. After spinning her opponent around a couple of times, Robertson finished the takedown, but Lemos soon swept, and dropped a few elbows, at least once hitting the back of the head. Robertson held on to the leg, but wound up with Lemos on top of her. This time, Lemos landed legal elbows, first to the head, then body. A kimura attempt from Lemos followed; Robertson freed her arm, scrambled, and got back in control.
Late, Lemos would break free, and get her hands going. Robertson blocked a high kick, and they’d head to round two.
Round two opened with more kicks from Lemos, one that had Robertson stepping a bit gingerly. Off the next calf kick, Robertson ducked down and shot a perfectly timed takedown. Lemos was very busy off her back, but couldn’t keep Gillian Robertson from moving to side control. Lemos briefly trapped Robertson’s head with her legs but didn’t have an actual choke in place. Robertson wound up in north-south, then moved to control the back, then into side control again. From there it was half-guard for Robertson, who had controlled the bulk of the first half of the round.
What Robertson had not done was find space to do much damage, or set up a choke. She nearly moved to mount, but had to adjust rather than let Lemos scramble free. Robertson would mount, from a three-quarter position, moments later, but couldn’t keep it. Robertson would finally find space to land some elbows, to the side of Lemos. Coming up on a minute remaining, Robertson was set to win the round strictly on control time and the takedown, given Lemos hadn’t done any damage. When they did get up at the end of the round, Robertson landed elbows, though Lemos would get a late takedown of her own.
Round three still had the fight very much up for grabs. Robertson closed the distance 30 seconds in, getting her hands on Lemos. Lemos broke free, preventing a key takedown and working her jab. Moments later, Robertson did land a takedown, taking both legs out from under the former title challenger. Lemos stood back up while Robertson held on to her neck. Amanda Lemos, however, was able to break free, though Robertson shot right back in again.
This time, Robertson swung Lemos around, and Lemos was able to threaten with an arm-bar, but not for long. After pulling free, it was Robertson in side control, then to half-guard. Lemos was struggling to break free. She didn’t seem to have much left off her back however. Robertson, if she could ride out the round, was likely going to claim a decision win. She fired a few elbows to the body, then to the head. Short left hands followed. Robertson finished the fight on top, knee on belly dropping punches to finish strong!
Official Result: Gillian Robertson def. Amanda Lemos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
