TORONTO – Gillian Robertson beat Polyana Viana with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Take a look inside the fight with Robertson, who won for the second time in three fights since her return to strawweight – both of which have been post-fight bonus winners.
Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
Result: Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:12
Updated records: Robertson (13-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC), Viana (13-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC)
Key stats: Robertson got the second TKO win of her career – both of which have come in her native Canada. She moved into a tie for second for most finishes in UFC women’s history (nine) with former champ Jessica Andrade. They’re right behind ex-dual titleholder Amanda Nunes, who has 10.
Robertson on the fight's key moment
“I just wanted to cry out of happiness. I was so excited to be here – so excited to walk out in front of this crowd. And obviously, my performance showed that that energy makes a difference. In the second round, I was just landing strikes. I constantly am trying to land strikes and look for my submission, and I heard the ref twice tell her, ‘I need you to move.’ So whenever I heard him say that, I was like, all right, these are my opportunities to just keep on going and look for the TKO.”
Robertson on going after submission records
“I just feel like I’m nowhere near where I’m going to be. I’m second most for (women’s) finishes. I want to be first. And I know I’m just on the list for top submissions of all time, men or women. I want to just keep on pushing until I’m tied with (Charles) Oliveira on that one. No matter what, I’m looking for a finish. I want to be able to make sure I can take my opponent down. Whether we’re on the feet, whether we’re on the ground, if it’s a TKO, a submission, I want my opponent to be scared of me wherever we are.”
Robertson on what she wants next
“I just want a ranked opponent. I just want someone with a number next to their name and I want it next to mine next.
“Canada’s my good luck charm. It has to be. I feel like it’s just the energy and something about it. My only two TKOs ever have been in Canada. … I just kept on telling myself today, ‘This is a dream come true for me – just make the most of it.’ To be able to fight in the UFC, the biggest promotion in the world, and in Canada, my home. Um, like, there’s really nothing that compares, that can compare to these moments today.”
To hear more from Robertson, check out the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
