After picking up a big win over former title challenger Amanda Lemos back in March, Gillian Robertson called for a shot at the title. It wasn’t long after that Dana White and Hunter Campbell hinted to her that it should be next. Despite that reassurance, there was something hovering in the back of her mind that might jump her in line.
“I definitely thought it was going to be what was next,” Robertson said with confidence. “Weili [Zhang] was the only thing in question. That was the only one where I’m like, if she does come back, it’s technically still her belt. That’s what people are going to say.”
The former strawweight champion vacated her belt in November in order to chase the flyweight title. When she came up empty handed in that fight, many speculated that she would be the rightful challenger for a belt that she never lost. It’s that public perception that makes Robertson feel like the fight with the old queen would need to be next.
“I think that it’s something that’ll need to happen eventually. I think that right now with McKenzie, they’re saying it with me. They’re going to say it – it’s not my belt. It’s Weili’s belt,” she said. “The second I get it, it’s going to be Weili’s belt still, so I think that I need to fight her next. I think that needs to be – it’s the only right move.”
Of course there is always the looming doubt as to whether that fight can happen. The former champion could decide to stay and work for another shot at the 125lbs strap or she could walk away from the sport altogether. While she is definitely the toughest fight for Robertson, she hopes she’s also the next one.
“I know that a lot of people are talking right now that they’re questioning her even coming back with her whole makeover and everything. Maybe she is. You know, she’s 35 and she’s done a lot in the sport. Maybe she is done with it,” Robertson suggested. “I hope for my sake that she’s not. I hope she does come back and I hope that we are able to get that fight.”
For now, Robertson is focused on her title fight this weekend. She takes on Mackenzie Dern with a chance to become the first women’s champion from Canada. That fight is the co-main event of UFC 330 this Saturday, which begins at 5pm EST on Paramount+.
