Canada’s Gillian Robertson was sitting at 3-1 in the women’s flyweight division ahead of UFC 240. In a young weight class that was wide open, that put the young star, still in the bottom half of her 20s, in good position to make a run or the next year or so. However, Brazil’s Sarah Frota, moving up from strawweight after a weight cut gone wrong in her UFC debut, was looking to play spoiler Saturday in Edmonton.

Robertson was as game as ever heading into UFC 240, telling Cageside Press that the fight would be a go whether or not her opponent made weight. Frota did, and the pair would serve as the featured preliminary fight on UFC Fight Pass.

Round 1:

Frota landed a left hand to start off the contest. Robertson managed to get a takedown early. Frota landed several hammerfists off her back. Frota attempted a leg lock early, but Robertson is defending. Frota then attempted a reverse triangle. Robertson now landing strikes on top, after she defended numerous submission attempts. Robertson managed to cut Frota open with a strike to end the round.

Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Robertson

Round 2:

Frota stalks Robertson early, but Robertson got Frota down without an issue. Frota landed several hammerfists on the ground but stayed on her back. Robertson defended an arm-triangle from Frota and managed to transition to mount because of it. Robertson started to land elbows on top in mount. Frota seems tired as Robertson started to pour on the strikes. A few more elbows and that was it, Robertson wins via TKO.

Official Result: Gillian Robertson def. Sarah Frota via TKO (Ground and Pound), Round 2, 4:13

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Canada’s Gillian Robertson will head to Edmonton for her next fight. On Friday, Brazil’s Combate was first to report that Robertson will take on Sarah Frota at UFC 240 in the Albertan city. Cageside Press confirmed the fight with a source close to the situation, as it has not yet been announced by the UFC.

UFC 240 will be the promotion’s second trip to Canada in 2019. For Robertson, who left Canada at a young age and relocated south, it will be her first fight in the country. Robertson trains with American Top Team in Florida, and has compiled a 6-3 record as a pro to date. That includes a 3-1 stretch in the UFC, after entering the promotion via The Ultimate Fighter 26.

Most recently, Robertson, who just turned 24, defeated Veronica Macedo by submission at UFC Prague. In fact, all three of Robertson’s UFC wins have come via sub, making her a real threat to anyone at 125lbs.

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Robertson holds a win over fellow UFC fighter Hannah Cifers outside the promotion, as well as a loss to another UFC star, Cynthia Calvillo, earlier in their careers.

After scoring a knockout on the Brazilian version of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, Sarah Frota (9-1) made her UFC debut in February. She came up short against Livinha Souza at UFC Fight Night 144, after missing weight by a dumbfounding 7lbs. That failed bid to make the strawweight limit sent her packing to the UFC’s flyweight division.

UFC 240 takes place July 27 at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. The card is headlined by a featherweight title fight between champ Max Holloway and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

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The big story following the UFC Fortaleza weigh-in was Sarah Frota. The Contender Series Brazil veteran had blown weight by a full seven pounds for her promotional debut. Apparently, no one delivered the memo that the bout was at strawweight, not flyweight. Not a good look, as she stepped into the octagon for the first time against Livia Renata Souza, herself a former Invicta FC strawweight champion.

Souza went right after the lead leg of her opponent as the main card of UFC Fortaleza kicked off. Before long, she had the fight to the ground — and a near-finish. Locking in an arm-bar, it looked like the end was nigh for newcomer Sarah Frota. However, Frota wisely stepped over her opponent to safety. In the scramble that ensured, she made it back to her feet. Souza would look to throw her opponent back to the ground in the final minute, but couldn’t quite convert the attempt. Frota would then jump guard, but with the guillotine nowhere to be found, it was rather pointless, but luckily came late in the round.

Frota opened the second getting her hands going, which led to Souza changing levels and securing a takedown. Her takedown game served her well in the second. At times, Frota would come on strong with her striking — only for Souza to take her down with ease. However, in the final ninety seconds of round two, Frota landed some knees, a heavy left hand, and a combination moments afterward, all of which took their toll. Yet once again, Souza scored an easy takedown to finish out the frame. Which led to a close call, as Souza looked for the submission.

With Souza likely up on the scorecards, Frota was going to need to use her size and power advantage. She came out swinging in the third, but Souza soon had her tied up. Frota pushed her off, but she was slowing. Souza shot in for a takedown, and wound up pulling guard instead. That allowed Frota to sneak in some hammer fists, while Souza switched between an open and closed guard.

A lack of action, however, ended in the ref standing the pair up, giving the edge to Frota at least momentarily. Souza would hang on and survive, and end up taking yet another close split decision on the UFC Fortaleza card.

Livia Renata Souza def. Sarah Frota by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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Back in September of last year, at UFC Sao Paulo, we saw the promotional debut of former Invicta FC champion, Livia Renata Souza. She dismantled Alex Chambers in less than 90 seconds. It was expected of Souza to win, but no one expected it to be so one-sided. This win sent a strong message across the strawweight division.

Souza currently stands with a record of 12-1, which includes wins over Japanese MMA stalwart Ayaka Hamasaki, former TUF contestant DeAnna Bennett, former Invicta FC champion Katja Kankaanpää, and many more. Not only does she have a decorated resume, but the fact that she has gone decision only three times in her 13-fight career makes her even scarier. She has explosive striking and a submission game even the most accomplished grappler would envy.

When she enters the cage, she only has one goal: win in the most destructive fashion possible. One might expect her game plan is too reckless but that is not the case, not anymore at least. Since losing a debatable split decision to Angela Hill way back in 2016, Souza has shown amazing maturity in the Octagon. She stays calm and ferocious at the same time. She fights like a tiger, not a bull. Her aggression makes her matches a “don’t blink” type of event.

This weekend, she takes on fellow Brazilian and undefeated Sarah Frota. A Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series find, Frota enters the fight with a 9-0 record. Though she hasn’t faced someone even relatively skilled as Souza, she is a great fighter. She, like Souza, has a strong finish percentage. Plus, she’ll be moving down from the flyweight division and is relatively tall so she’ll have both a height and reach advantage against Souza. Compared to Chambers, this is a step-up in competition.

This should be an easy win for Souza and should reaffirm her position in the strawweight division.

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