“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.

Robertson (15-8) is set to take on Brazil’s Rodriguez (17-5-2) at a UFC event rumored for Des Moines, Iowa on May 3, 2025. News of the booking was first reported by David Van Auken of Fight Bananas.

The UFC has not officially announced the match-up, or card. However, it puts Robertson, ranked #12 in the 115lb division, on a clear path into the top 10. “The Savage” has won three straight bouts and is 4-1 since returning to 115lbs in 2023.

Alongside Jasmine Jasudavicius (ranked #12 in Robertson’s former division, flyweight), Robertson has become one of the faces of Canadian MMA, at a time best described as a rebuilding period for the sport in Canada.

In her last outing, Robertson earned a unanimous decision victory over Luana Pinheiro. The 29-year old, born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, holds the record for most submission wins in UFC women’s history, as well as in the women’s flyweight division.

As for Marina Rodriguez, once considered a possible title challenger, she’s hit hard times of late. The 37-year old is 1-4 in her last five, and is coming off a loss to Iasmin Lucindo.

The post UFC: Marina Rodriguez to Face Gillian Robertson on May 3 appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I really don’t know actually what position I’m going to be in the rankings,” Lucindo told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator at her post-fight scrum.

“I try not to choose fights, I didn’t choose Marina. I didn’t choose Karol (Rosa)…actually I did. The fight before I did call her out, but you know what whatever the boss says, whatever he puts in front of me, I’m going to fight.”

Lucindo (17-5) took the win by split decision which, if you looked on social media, there was confusion as to why it wasn’t unanimous. It was a trend that went on for the entire card with confusing scores, some pretty bad decisions, and it looked like the judges though the fight with Rodriguez was much closer than most thought.

“I was back there, but so focused on my fight, I only watched the fight a little bit. I don’t know about the decision. Anything can happen when it goes to the judges. I knew in my heart that I wont he fight, but you never know,” she said.

“When it goes to the judges it’s not your decision anymore. Anything can happen, but I felt good about myself.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Iasmin Lucindo above.

The post Iasmin Lucindo Not Worried About Rankings appeared first on Cageside Press.

The strawweight pairing was a chance for Lucindo to launch herself into the spotlight, given Rodriguez had long been considered a possible title hopeful in the weight class.

Earlier on, it was Rodriguez controlling the action, taking slow, methodical steps forward. Just under two minutes in, Rodriguez dumped Lucindo off a kick, but instead of jumping on top of her opponent, backed off, allowing Lucindo back to her feet. And for good reason – a moment later, Rodriguez struck with a right hand, connecting clean. Later in the round, Rodriguez could graze the top of Lucindo’s head. But when they went to the ground, it was Iasmin getting on top, working from half-guard and finishing the round there.

In the second round, Lucindo earned herself more time on top. If there was a criticism to be made, it was that she didn’t do much with that time, with the ref eventually warning her to get busy, and the crowd reacting with jeers and boos. Still, the official did not stand the pair up until about 30 seconds remained in the round. That gave time for a spinning back kick, and a combo or two from Rodriguez, but nothing else, and none of it seemed to damage Lucindo.

Another strong showing from Lucindo in round three, care of a hard-fought, well-earned takedown, was taken away moments later. With a bloodied Rodriguez on her back, the ref noticed Lucindo driving her chin into the eye socket of her opponent. That resulted in a stand-up, and a hard warning from the ref. Lucindo would lose the position as well. The discipline from the ref came in stark contrast to the lack of fouls called in the Cesar Almeida-Ihor Potieria fight, which saw no fewer than five eye pokes on Potieria go uncalled by the official there.

Regardless, the rest of the round played out without issue, and they’d go the distance, finishing on the ground again.

Official Result: Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

The post UFC 307: Iasmin Lucindo Gets Step Up, Moves Past Marina Rodriguez appeared first on Cageside Press.

News of this fight was first reported by Ag Fight on Tuesday. The bout will be on the undercard of UFC 307, expected to take place in the Delta Center (formerly Vivint Arena) in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5, 2024.

Marina Rodriguez (17-4-2) has struggled as of late, having lost three of her last 4 fights since late 2022. Prior to that run, she was riding a 4-fight winning streak. Rodriguez hasn’t lost to anyone but top contenders. Her losses over this time period include Amanda Lemos, Virna Jandiroba and most recently a split decision loss at the hands of former UFC strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade, at UFC 300.

Iasmin Lucindo (16-5) is just 22 years old and has looked phenomenal since losing her UFC debut to Yazmin Jauregui in August of 2022. Lucindo has won three fights in a row in the nearly two years since. Iasmin won a unanimous decision over Brogan Walker in April of last year. She then defeated Polyana Viana by second round submission and most recently won a unanimous decision of Karolina Kowalkiewicz back in May.

With Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev being announced for the main card last week. And with the addition of Rodriguez vs. Lucindo, the current lineup for 307 is as follows:

• Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
• Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo

The post Top 15 UFC Women’s Strawweights Marina Rodriguez and Iasmin Lucindo to Fight on UFC 307 appeared first on Cageside Press.

“This is the natural course of things. That’s what Marina said. I think the winner of this fight was the one who should be next for the fight for the title,” Andrade told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator at her post-fight scrum.

“If you think about Tatiana (Suarez) is actually injured, Amanda Lemos, not only myself, but also Marina faced her. I hope to have a shot at the title having that shot until the end of the year,” she said.

Andrade (26-12) could get the title shot sometime this year or possibly face another contender such as Virna Jandiroba who has been making her case for a shot as well.

“Virna and I are really, really, really good friends. I saw her in the PI this week. We were talking about this. Most likely she’s probably going to face Amanda Lemos next. I would be fighting for a belt before her. She would face Amanda, I would go with the winner of tonight’s fight, and we’ve talked Virna and I about this,” she said.

“We said listen if we’re going to face each other might as well be for a belt.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Jessica Andrade above.

The post Jessica Andrade Calls For Title Shot Following Victory At UFC 300 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The former women’s strawweight champ was looking to notch a second straight victory after tenderizing Mackenzie Dern last time out. As for Rodriguez, she was in a similar boat, with a win over Michelle Waterson-Gomez in her own last outing.

Early on, Rodriguez fought smart, keeping Andrade at the end of her punches. Andrade worked some kicks, but was likely lagging behind in the fight before getting things to the mat care of a slip by Marina. From there, the ex-champ worked her way to side control while softening up her fellow Brazilian, which made things much closer than they might have been otherwise.

A couple of quick exchanges started out round two, with Andrade continued to hack away at her opponent’s lead leg. The limb was showing damage but Rodriguez still looked loose and extremely mobile, no worse for the wear apparently. Rodriguez continued to fight on the outside, circling the cage, back to the fence. Andrade, conversely, walked forward, loaded up on her punches, and covered up/rolled with many of Rodriguez’s volleys.

Towards the end of the round, Andrade began to find a home for that power, pushing the action and knocking Rodriguez around like a human pinball. Rodriguez was clearly hurt, but survived to the horn.

Whether Rodriguez was still comprised to start round three would be a question. Andrade, however, appeared to have slowed. Marina began walking forward as the round progressed, and with two minutes left, caught Andrade in a guillotine as she went after a leg. Andrade held onto the leg, Marina held onto the choke, but eventually Jessica pulled free. With a minute to go, Andrade went on the attack again, mixing in shots to the body. With 30 seconds left she turned up the heat, with Rodriguez dropping to a knee and struggling with a beat up lead leg. The finish wasn’t to be had, but Jessica Andrade picked up her second straight win with a solid night at the office.

Official Result: Jessica Andrade def. Marina Rodriguez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC 300: Jessica Andrade Picks Up Second Straight Win, Decisions Marina Rodriguez appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I think that facing Jessica will mean to me another opportunity to have a shot at the title. Winning this fight means that I can ask for a shot at the title,” Rodriguez told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Wednesday.

Interesting enough the UFC strawweight title will be up for grabs in the co-main event between champion Weili Zhang and challenger Yan Xiaonan. With a victory it could mean that the timing would work out for Rodriguez to be next for the belt.

“The timing is perfect, being on this great card, facing a former champion, actually getting to know by the end of the night who is the strawweight champion. Everything’s working out great,” she said.

“What I know is, regardless of what happens, I’m going to call out a Chinese fighter.”

Rodriguez (17-3-2) is very well aware of the importance of UFC 300. While she’s excited to be on a historic card the mission is what takes priority on Saturday night.

“Being on the card at the same time that the title fight is actually happening it’s very important,” Rodriguez said.

“To be in this historic event I think it’s rewarding and I think it’s deserved. That shows that the company looks at me and the merit of the fights that I put out. It’s a pleasure to actually have this opportunity, and also the title fight is like the icing on the cake.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Marina Rodriguez above. She takes on Jessica Andrade at UFC 300 on Saturday night.

The post Marina Rodriguez On A Mission For A Title Shot At UFC 300 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The UFC, once struggling to even be broadcast anywhere, will soon celebrate another important milestone in the form of UFC 300 at a time when the brand has arguably never been stronger.

While it is not exactly their 300th (or technically even their 300th numbered) event, the week as a whole is expected to be a celebration of the growth of the sport and most importantly the excitement that the faithful fanbase has for it.  The milestone brings forth memories of early superstars like Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock, to the 2000’s era that saw the rise of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, to the last decade that saw the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey, and Conor McGregor elevate the brand and the sport to new heights.

UFC 300 will see the superstars of today carry a show that features arguably the most loaded lineup from top to bottom that the promotion has ever put on.  A record number of both past and present title holders will compete at the event, and those who haven’t held gold (yet) carry their own credentials and level of excitement from the fanbase going into the night.

It’s difficult to narrow down MMA’s biggest night to several points, but we’ve done our best. In no particular order, here are the top storylines going into UFC 300.

The post Top Ten Storylines Going Into UFC 300 (10-7) appeared first on Cageside Press.