The 28-year-old Canadian is scheduled to face fellow strawweight contender Polyana Viana at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday night.
‘Savage’ enters the bout with an unremarkable 12-8 MMA record, but she currently holds a coveted UFC title and a grappling win over one of the best female fighters of all time.
Ronda Rousey is the most celebrated submission specialist in women’s MMA history even though she only managed to tap out three opponents during her UFC career.
It was enough to set a company record. However, that record was broken by Robertson in 2020 and she now boasts six submission wins in MMA’s premier promotion.
In December 2022, she further proved her grappling credentials when she tapped out former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a grappling match.
Just 65 seconds was all she needed to lock ‘Thug’ in a rear-naked choke.Now, she’s desperate to get a different type of victory in front of her hometown fans after previously picking up her lone TKO finish when she last fought Canada five years ago.
“I literally got tears in my eyes as soon as I found out it was in Toronto,” Robertson told Cageside Press ahead of UFC 297.
“I was so excited. The only time I’ve ever fought in Canada was in Edmonton, so all the way across the country. And this time it’s a little bit closer to home.
Rousey’s armbar is legendary – but ‘Savage’ has tapped out more UFC fightersCredit: Getty
Namajunas learnt how good she is the hard way when they grappledCredit: Fury Pro Grappling 6/UFC Fight Pass
“Last time was the first time I ever got a TKO and the only time I ever got a TKO, so I’m counting Canada as my good omen and hoping we go for another one.”Of course, Robertson wants to entertain her people, but she really hopes to prove she is a well-rounded fighter capable of finishing opponents with strikes too.
4‘Meatball’ Molly McCann has also been submitted by Robertson
She added: “I want to be a complete mixed martial artist.
“Ideally, I would love to finish the fight on the feet one day. I don’t think I’ve really developed the correct mechanics to be able to do so at this point.
“But it’s like, I want that girl to be scared of me no matter where we are.
“If we’re on the feet, if I’m on top of you, if I’m under— if I’m in guard, it doesn’t matter, I want you to be scared. So that’s my ideal goal.”
