A pivotal strawweight showdown is set for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo as Brazilian striking specialist Marina Rodriguez takes on surging submission ace Gillian Robertson in a battle that could shake up the top 10 of the division. With both women riding very different trajectories into this bout, it serves as a classic striker vs. grappler contest with high stakes.
Marina Rodriguez, ranked #9, returns to the cage looking to halt a two-fight skid that has seen her drop razor-thin decisions to elite competition in Iasmin Lucindo and Jéssica Andrade. Known for her Muay Thai striking, Rodriguez possesses crisp combinations, devastating elbows, and excellent distance management. While she owns wins over contenders like Mackenzie Dern, Amanda Ribas, and Yan Xiaonan, recent struggles against grappling-heavy opponents have exposed vulnerabilities in her takedown defense and ground game. At 37 years old, this may be Rodriguez’s last run at contention.
Gillian Robertson, currently ranked #12, has reinvented herself since her return to strawweight, riding a three-fight win streak that includes dominant victories over Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Luana Pinheiro. The Canadian holds the record for most submission wins in UFC women's history and thrives in scrambles, guard passing, and applying relentless top pressure. Though her striking remains a work in progress, her confidence and momentum are at an all-time high, making her a legitimate threat to anyone on the mat.
This matchup will largely be dictated by whether Rodriguez can keep the fight standing. If she manages to use her reach and movement to pick apart Robertson from range, her volume and precision could carry her to a decision win. However, if Robertson gets the fight to the ground early, she has all the tools to dominate and potentially finish.
Marina Rodriguez – Last 5 Fights
* Loss vs. Iasmin Lucindo – Split Decision – Oct 5, 2024
* Loss vs. Jéssica Andrade – Split Decision – Apr 13, 2024
* Win vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez – TKO (Elbows and Punches) – Sep 23, 2023
* Loss vs. Virna Jandiroba – Unanimous Decision – May 6, 2023
* Loss vs. Amanda Lemos – TKO (Punches) – Nov 5, 2022
Gillian Robertson – Last 5 Fights
* Win vs. Luana Pinheiro – Unanimous Decision – Nov 9, 2024
* Win vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez – Unanimous Decision – Jun 29, 2024
* Win vs. Polyana Viana – TKO (Punches) – Jan 20, 2024
* Loss vs. Tabatha Ricci – Unanimous Decision – Jun 24, 2023
* Win vs. Piera Rodríguez – Submission (Armbar) – Apr 15, 2023
Prediction
Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via Submission (Armbar), Round 2
