The UFC made the announcement on Wednesday.

FLYING INTO PHILLY WITH TWO TITLE FIGHTS 🦅@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @IanGarryMMA@MackenzieDern vs @Savage_UFC

[ #UFC330 is LIVE AUGUST 15 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/9TwK13Z954

— UFC (@ufc) June 17, 2026

Makhachev (28-1) returns to the Octagon nine months after capturing the UFC welterweight title at UFC 322 last November. His dominant decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena marked a successful debut at 170 pounds and officially launched the former lightweight champion’s pursuit of a second title reign in a new division.

Garry (17-1) will challenge for UFC gold for the first time in his career when he takes on Makhachev for the welterweight championship. Wins over Geoff Neal, Michael “Venom” Page, Carlos Prates, and former champion Belal Muhammad helped solidify his status as one of the division’s top contenders and ultimately earned him a shot at the title.

Now, the Irish standout faces the toughest test of his career against one of the most dominant champions in MMA. A victory over Makhachev would not only make Garry a UFC champion, but it would also cap off one of the most impressive rises through the welterweight ranks in recent years.

Dern (16-5) captured UFC gold at UFC 321 last October, earning a hard-fought decision victory over fellow title contender Virna Jandiroba. The win completed an eight-year journey to the top after Dern joined the UFC in 2018 carrying enormous expectations as one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors ever to transition into mixed martial arts.

While the road to championship glory featured its share of setbacks and growing pains, Dern continued to evolve as a complete mixed martial artist. Now, with the belt around her waist, she’ll look to prove her title reign is only just beginning.

Robertson (17-8) has had to make her case ironclad in order to earn a shot at Dern’s title. Victories over Polyana Viana, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Luana Pinheiro, Marina Rodriguez and Amanda Lemos earned her a title shot in Philadelphia.

UFC 330 takes place on August 15 in Philadelphia, PA. The card, as of now, is as follows:

• Islam Makhachev (C) vs. Ian Garry (#1) – UFC Welterweight Championship
• Mackenzie Dern (C) vs. Gillian Robertson (#5) – UFC Strawweight Championship
• Edson Barboza vs. Esteban Ribovics
• Vicente Luque vs. Tresean Gore

The post Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry Headlines UFC 330, Dern vs. Robertson Co-Main appeared first on Cageside Press.

Kevin Vallejos

At just 24 years of age, Kevin Vallejos is fighting with a maturity reminiscent of a young Ilia Topuria. No, Josh Emmett is not young anymore, but he’s been a staple of the featherweight top10 for years, in part due to his durability, and Vallejos dispatched of him inside a round. The Argentinian fighter refrained from calling out a name after his last one was poorly received in December. If he keeps putting on performances like these, he won’t need to have rehearsed call outs in the chamber, because his hands will do all the talking.

I do believe Jean Silva has a future as a title contender, which is why I wouldn’t book this rematch just yet as I would wait for the stakes to get even higher. I think either of Patricio Pitbull or Aljamain Sterling would make for great opponents if they win their next fights, but I’m not totally confident that they will. For now, I will choose the winner of Diego Lopes versus Steve Garcia at the White House.

Vallejos’ next fight: Lopes/Garcia winner

Gillian Robertson

It’s strange to think that Gillian Robertson is only 30 years old since her name is already in the UFC record books. She had to overcome a rough opening frame at UFC Vegas 114, where she faced Amanda Lemos, and show off her resiliency to take the next two rounds.

Robertson’s clearly hitting her stride and is now building a strong case for being the best Canadian fighter on the roster. Having won five in a row, she could be argued as the most deserving contender, but it’s hard to see this kind of performance being the one that makes her undeniable in the UFC’s eyes. With Tatiana Suarez facing Loopy Godinez and Virna Jandiroba facing Tabatha Ricci in the coming weeks, it still feels like the number one contender spot is up for grabs. And that’s not even counting Zhang Weili who could still drop back to strawweight and face Mackenzie Dern.

At the end of the day, I went with the winner of Jandiroba/Ricci as I think the winner of Suarez/Godinez is more likely to steal Robertson’s current spot as the number one contender.

Robertson’s next fight: Jandiroba/Ricci winner

Jose Delgado

After losing a decision a lot of fans thought he should’ve won in October, here is Jose Delgado winning a decision a lot of fans thought he should’ve lost. I guess it evens out. Kidding aside, barely a year into his UFC career, Delgado is quickly proving to be one of the safe bets for a good fight every time out. I think a fight with Gabriel Santos not only makes a lot of sense for where both fighters are at, but would also be a surefire bet for Fight of the Night on whichever card it’s on.

Delgado’s next fight: Gabriel Santos

Marwan Rahiki

Newcomer Marwan Rahiki had a memorable introduction to the UFC fanbase, winning Fight of the Night for his back-and-forth affair with Harry Hardwick. Though his lack of defense may be fun to watch for us fans, at just 23, there’s still time for Rahiki to work on all his skills. I think fellow rookie Javier Reyes, who was also victorious in his promotional debut two weeks ago in Mexico would be a good opponent for Rahiki.

Rahiki’s next fight: Javier Reyes

Ion Cutelaba

Ion Cutelaba is one of the names that feels like they have faced everyone they possible could have, by now. With this latest win over Oumar Sy to his name, we now have to scramble to find a sensible fight for The Hulk. I think both Iwo Baraniewski or Navajo Stirling would make for fine opponents if they win their upcoming fights. Between those two, it’s difficult not to go with Iwo Baraniewski as he would certainly bring out the “crazy” in Cutelaba.

Cutelaba’s next fight: Baraniewski/Lane winner

Charles Johnson

This was a fairly short turnaround for Charles Johnson, who got KO’d just this January. As is common with Inner G fights, he started off slow in the first round, but picked it up as the fight went and was flowing by the end of the bout. Johnson is such an active fighter, it can already feel like he’s fought most people at 125 pounds, but there are still some viable names out there for him to face. Someone like Tagir Ulanbekov, who is also looking for redemption after getting finished would make a good matchup.

Johnson’s next fight: Tagir Ulanbekov

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 114 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

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)

The post UFC Vegas 114: Gillian Robertson Grapples Way to Victory Over Amanda Lemos appeared first on Cageside Press.

She drowned her sorrows with friends in Las Vegas, then got back to work, with a new date ahead of her that arrives this Saturday. At UFC Vegas 114, she’s once again paired up with Lemos, a fight that could produce a title challenger in the women’s strawweight division.

On the match-up, Robertson (16-8), who has had plenty of time to study her opponent, noted that “I think she’s a great striker” during Wednesday’s UFC Vegas 114 media day. “She’s going to come at me and try to kill me, I think she’s going to be very aggressive. But in those aggressive movements is where I’m going to find my opportunities, is where I’m going to find my hoes. I really just need to get my hands on her, and the fight’s going to be over.”

With a win, Robertson, originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, believes that she will have done enough to clinch a title shot. She has already laid claim to several UFC records, after all.

“I think that with the most finishes out of any woman, the most submissions out of any women, this will be my fifth win in a row, I don’t see why I wouldn’t deserve the title after this,” she stated.

That would put her on a collision course with Mackenzie Dern, a world-renowned submission specialist herself.

“I think that this has been a fight that has been in the making for years at this point. Mackenzie being such a highly accoladed grappler outside of the UFC, and then me being the submission Queen inside the UFC. So I think it’s something everybody’s wanted to see, and why not for the belt?”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 114 media day appearance by Gillian Robertson above.

The post UFC Vegas 114’s Gillian Robertson Feels Dern Fight Is What People Want to See: “Why Not for the Belt?” appeared first on Cageside Press.

First reported by David Van Auken.

The last-minute cancellation is a tough blow for Robertson, who stood to gain significantly from a win over Lemos, a former title challenger. Robertson, typically one of the division’s most active competitors, with three fights and a grappling match in 2024, will now finish 2025 having competed only once.

She’ll have to wait until 2026 to rebuild momentum and continue her push toward a title opportunity.

Lemos closes out 2025 with a 1-1 record. A win over Iasmin Lucindo earned her a spot on Noche UFC, but she ultimately fell short against Tatiana Suarez, dropping a decision.

UFC Vegas 112 continues on with 12 bouts:

• Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape
• Giga Chikadze vs. Kevin Vallejos
• Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk
• Morgan Charriere vs. Melquizael Costa
• Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Marcus Buchecha
• King Green vs. Lance Gibson Jr
• Joanderson Brito vs. Isaac Thomson
• Neil Magny vs. Yaroslav Amosov
• Sean Sharaf vs. Steven Asplund
• Luana Santos vs. Melissa Croden
• AJ Frye vs. Guilherme Pat
• Tereza Bleda vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth

UFC Vegas 112 goes down Dec. 13 from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. It will be the last UFC event on ESPN+

The post Amanda Lemos Out, Robertson Bout Scrapped From UFC Vegas 112 appeared first on Cageside Press.

As recently announced by the promotion, Gillian Robertson (16-8) will take on Iasmin Lucindo (18-6) at the event, which takes place at the UFC Apex on December 13, 2025 and is the final UFC card of the year. That same announcement also included Jamey-Lyn Horth (8-2) facing off with Tereza Bleda (7-1).

Since moving back to strawweight, Robertson, the UFC women’s submission leader, has won five of her six fights, including four straight heading into UFC Vegas 112. In her last outing, the Florida-based fighter, originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, finished Marina Rodriguez via TKO.

Robertson holds 12 finishes among her 16 career wins, and sits ranked #10 at 115lbs. Lucindo is three spots ahead in the #7 spot, and has split her last two fights, falling to Amanda Lemos then bouncing back against Angela Hill. Both bouts went the distance.

Horth has been trading wins and losses since 2023 and is 3-2 inside the octagon to date. Most recently, she earned a decision victory over Vanessa Demopoulos. Opponent Bleda is 1-1 in the UFC through her first two bouts.

UFC Vegas 112 is headlined by flyweights Manel Kape and Brandon Royval. The following match-ups have been reported for the final UFC card of 2025, and final show of the ESPN era:

• Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape
• Iasmin Lucindo vs. Gillian Robertson
• Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Tereza Bledá
• Steven Asplund vs. Sean Sharaf
• César Almeida vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk
• Melquizael Costa vs. Morgan Charrière
• Joanderson Brito vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan
• Allen Frye vs. Guillherme Pat

The post Robertson, Horth Announced for UFC Vegas 112 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Iasmine Lucindo (18-6) is set to take on Gillian Robertson (16-8) at UFC Vegas 112, a Fight Night event at the UFC Apex scheduled for December 13, 2025. The card will be the last to air on any of ESPN’s platforms prior to the UFC jumping to streaming service Paramount+ in 2026 as it shifts U.S. broadcast partners.

Fight Bananas was first to report news of the booking. Robertson later confirmed the match-up on social media.

Lucindo captured a unanimous decision win over ex-Invicta FC champ Angela “Overkill” Hill last time out, bouncing back from a loss to Amanda Lemos. The Brazilian is 5-2 in the UFC overall, with just one finish, a submission of Polyana Viana in 2023.

Canada’s Robertson has made a habit of not seeing the judges. She’s tied with Amanda Nunes for the women’s finishing record in the UFC at 10, and holds the women’s flyweight record finish record at 7, plus the women’s submission record also at 7. 12 of her 16 wins as a pro have come inside the distance; “The Savage,” training in Florida but originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, has won her last four fights.

Lucindo is ranked #7, and Robertson #10 in the UFC women’s strawweight division.

UFC Vegas 112 is headlined by Manel Kape vs. Brandon Royval in flyweight action.

The post Iasmin Lucindo vs. Gillian Robertson Booked for UFC Vegas 112 appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I’m hoping this is the beginning of my title run,” Robertson told reporters including Cageside Press at her post-fight scrum on Saturday.

“I think we’re doing good for that route.”

Robertson (16-8) scored the finish over Rodriguez in the second round via TKO. The win put her at 4-in-a-row and second over a big name in Rodriguez. Robertson also retired Michelle Waterson-Gomes at UFC 303.

“I feel like everything really is going my way, but it’s because I’m working for it. I’m in the gym every single day working hard. I have been for the last 13 years. I’m just more confident than ever walking into the cage,” she said.

“I kept on saying to myself, ‘This is my time, this is my night’. I truly believe that 100%.”

In the octagon Robertson told Michael Bisping that she wanted to retire more fighters. Then she named Amanda Lemos as her next target.

“I think she had a good win, I think it was a month ago or two, so she’s coming off a win too. She’s ranked #5 currently. I think that would put me in an ideal spot for maybe on or two more,” she said.

“And then be looking at the champ.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Gillian Robertson above.

The post Gillian Robertson Wants Lemos Next, Hopes Win Sets Up Title Shot appeared first on Cageside Press.

The Brazilian had flirted with a title shot in the past, while Robertson entered the bout ranked #12 and eager to move up the divisional ladder.

It took Robertson, known for her ground game and holding the women’s submission record in the UFC, all of 90 seconds to get the fight to the mat. To that point, it had been single strikes exchanged; Robertson was quickly into side control, then in half guard, hammering Rodriguez’s body with elbows. A kimura attempt would follow, then more elbows. That led to Robertson improving her position and adding some short punches to the head, at all times fully controlling Brazil’s Rodriguez. Marina, miles away from the fence, looked lost at her back, unable to create space or scramble free.

Following well over three minutes of top time in the opening frame, Gillian Robertson went right back to the ground in the second. A single leg takedown go the bout down, and attempting to defend with a choke got Rodriguez nowhere. And this time, Robertson was able to put the fight away. From top, as Marina Rodriguez rolled faced down, she rained down a deluge of ground n’ pound from mount, eventually forcing the ref to come in and make the save! A dominant showing from Robertson, who will no doubt move up a few spots in the rankings early next week.

Canada cracks the Top 10! Take a bow, 🇨🇦 @Savage_UFC! #UFCDesMoines pic.twitter.com/iWJ2n8xaGv

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) May 4, 2025

The victory is the fourth straight for Robertson, who then called for a fight with ex-title challenger Amanda Lemos. Rodriguez, who stripped off her gloves following the loss, announced her retirement following the bout, saying she was going to auction off the gloves from her final fight for charity. The Brazilian then asked UFC President and CEO Dana White, and matchmaker Mick Maynard, to add their support.

Official Result: Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez by TKO, Round 2, 2:07

The post UFC Des Moines: Gillian Robertson Dominates Marina Rodriguez, Rodriquez Retires appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I was 16 and I was just like badgering my dad about I wanted to do cardio kickboxing. I didn’t know MMA existed at all or Jiu-Jitsu or anything. And one of Din [Thomas]’s pro fighters was actually doing community service for the court at my dad’s work at the Humane Society,” Robertson said. “So my dad ended up finding out about Din’s gym through one of his pro fighters who was working for him and then ended up taking me there. It was just kind of the closest gym. I didn’t really… Like I said, I didn’t know what MMA was.”

Once she started, there was definitely no going back. She got involved in the sport and immediately took to it. At that point, there was no turning back.

“I just kind of fell in love with it. I started with cardio kickboxing with like a bunch of soccer moms in the class. Then one of my friends from high school started doing the MMA class, and he was like, ‘why don’t you join me?,” she explained. “I thought, oh, why not? I’ll have a partner to do it with. So I just started doing MMA and I just kind of fell into it more and more. Then I feel like I was just doing so much. They’re like, you got to get a fight. So as soon as I turned 18, I was ready to go.”

The progession from there was insanely quick. Her love for the sport took off and she couldn’t take fights fast enough.

“I took my first amateur fight as soon as I turned 18. And then I had 11 amateur fights in two years,” she said. “I had my first five pro fights the year after that, and then I was signed in the TUF house after that.”

Of course, the parents who were hesitant even to sign her up for cardio kickboxing were not quite as all in as she was. Even now that are a bit unsettled with the idea – although it is better than it was before.

“My parents are the type of people that they were telling me like when I was a kid.
They’re like, if you’re getting kicked on, just walk away. 100% no violence. I don’t really know where that came from in me, honestly,” Robertson said. “I volunteered with animals my whole life before I got into kickboxing. So it was definitely kind of out of left field for them. I think my first couple fights were definitely rough for them. Now they have a little bit more faith in me, so I don’t think they’re as nervous.”

Her parents’ next chance at having big nerves for her will come at UFC Des Moines. She fights Marina Rodriguez as part of the main card on ESPN+. The night of fights gets started at 7pm EST.

You can hear the entire audio of this interview on the latest edition of the Top Turtle MMA Podcast the interview begins at 1:56.

The post UFC Des Moines’ Gillian Robertson Shares How She Started in MMA appeared first on Cageside Press.