LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 8: (LR) Opponents Luana Pinheiro of Brazil and Jillian Robertson of Canada compete at the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on November 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada Confront inside. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Luana Pinheiro was ranked one spot higher in the strawweight division, so she chose to wear a red fight kit at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 100, and Canadian Gillian Robertson was, in her words, a “funeral”. I decided to ditch my usual attire and wear a black uniform.
The strawweight scrap was the second match on Saturday’s main card, with Robertson getting an early takedown within a minute. Pinheiro quickly recovered, but Robertson nearly took him down for a second down. Meanwhile, the referee saw Pinheiro over the fence but did not stop the match. Robertson nearly converted another takedown attempt. Moments later, as the Brazilian ran away, the referee finally stopped the match and issued a stern warning to Pinheiro for repeatedly grabbing the fence.
While Pinheiro circled on the outside, Robertson landed kicks and punches within range and looked for a takedown. With less than a minute left, Robertson nearly went into mount with a perfectly timed and deft takedown, but he was right up against the fence and space became an issue. Still, the Canadian player ended his fame with a dominant position.
Early in the second round, Robertson attempted several takedowns, but Pinheiro easily avoided them using a jab and short combination. The Brazilian kept moving while Robertson came at her from an angle. Pinheiro went to the body and appeared to be back in the fight throughout the first half of round two. Robertson then closed the distance and tied Pinheiro to the fence for a trip. That wasn’t the case, and instead they returned to the center, where Luana Pinheiro gained the upper hand. At the end of the round, Robertson went for a standing back and scored a takedown with seconds left.
Gillian Robertson took the fight on the ground and took the mount early in the third round. Robertson gained momentum from the corner kick and went for an elbow, but Pinheiro tried to reverse by pushing him against the fence. She was unable to do so, but Robertson was able to eventually gain side control and catch the Brazilian in a crucifix to survive. Pinheiro once again survived and escaped, leading to a scramble with Pinheiro on top. And just when it looked like Luana Pinheiro had taken control, Gillian Robertson turned the tables! She ends up in half guard and ducks an upkick at the horn.
All three judges scored Gillian Robertson’s fight, but she wasn’t satisfied with her second consecutive decision win considering her love of finding finishes.
Official result: Gillian Robertson def. Luana Pinheiro unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
