Mackenzie Dern’s opening title defense will be the very first UFC women’s championship fight of 2026.
It’s certainly been a lackluster year for women’s mixed martial arts in the sport’s leading promotion, but Dern will hope to change that somewhat with her performance at UFC 330.
10 months after becoming strawweight queen in Abu Dhabi, Dern will be challenged by Gillian Robertson in the co-main event of Islam Makhachev’s maiden welterweight title defense.
The fight has not been getting too much attention in Philadelphia, especially compared to Makhachev’s clash with Ian Machado Garry. But that apparently does not mean fans do not care.
Have you ever been less excited for a title fight than Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson at UFC 330? 🤷
Fans reject suggestion Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson at UFC 330 is the ‘least exciting’ title fight ever
Bloody Elbow readers have been engaging in a TalkingPoints discussion about Saturday’s co-headliner, prompted by the question, “Have you ever been less excited for a title fight than Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson at UFC 330?”
A number of fans responded on social media, and the vast majority defended this year’s first women’s title fight in the UFC.
Some were calling it more exciting than Ronda Rousey’s comeback against Gina Carano, which peaked at 17 million viewers worldwide on Netflix this past May.
“This is a great fight, both women are very tough. Certainly better than Rousey/Carano.”
“I’m more into this than any other ladies fight lately.”
“Much rather watch this than Rousey ever again!”
“I’m completely bored with women’s MMA in general compared to a few years ago, but this will be a good fight. And exciting for Canadians, we haven’t had a title fight since 2017.”
“Dig the female fight. Dern for the win.”
“One fighter is a finishing machine vs one of the best BJJ competitors in the UFC. And both always have exciting fights.”
“I really do think it will be a good fight.”
“Oh I care. I love Gillian. To me, she is the BMF of women’s MMA.”
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Dern completed her ascent to the strawweight mountaintop by beating Virna Jandiroba for the second time in her career at UFC 321 last October.
The Canadian challenger, meanwhile, has won five fights in a row, most recently against ex-title contender Amanda Lemos.
Those who do see Dern vs Robertson as lackluster on paper continue to cite Zhang Weili’s presence as justification.
It seems some are struggling to see the UFC 330 co-headliners as worthy champions given the consensus idea that Weili remains the clear best 115-pound fighter.
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