Gillian Robertson has the opportunity to finish her 2020 a lot different than her 2019 ended.
Robertson (9-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) lost her final fight of 2019 when she was finished by Maycee Barber with strikes. But if she defeats Taila Santos (16-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 183 on Saturday, Robertson will ride a three-fight winning streak into 2021.
Robertson, 25, credits her newfound success to her move from American Top Team to training with a small group of fighters under coach Din Thomas.
“I feel like I’ve grown as a fighter this past year more than anything,” Robertson told MMA Junkie at Thursday’s virtual pre-fight news conference. “Breaking off from ATT and having all the attention from my coach now, I work with twice a day every day, I’ve seen myself grow so much. I think that translates to my confidence in the cage, seeing that I’m just prepared. (I know) I’m ready for that fight and I know I’m ready for any moment that happens. I’m ready.
“(At ATT), the coaches are just spread so thin that you don’t get (this) kind of attention. Now, I feel like I’m not solving my own problems. It’s not just trial and error (or) going out there and trying to work with the best girls in the world, then seeing what I did wrong. Now, my coach is picking me apart and telling me what I’m doing wrong and how we’re going to make it right. I just really see myself growing so much.”
UFC Fight Night 183 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
Check out Gillian Robertson’s full UFC Fight Night 183 virtual pre-fight news conference in the video above.