Preview: UFC 297 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

Gillian Robertson (12-8, 9-6 UFC) vs. Polyana Viana (13-6, 4-5 UFC)

ODDS: Robertson (-230), Viana (+190)

Robertson’s move down to strawweight does not appear to have unlocked a new level for the Canadian, but she should remain a concern in her new division going forward. Robertson spent the first five or so years of her UFC career at flyweight, where she became one of the promotion’s most prolific submission artists regardless of gender. When “The Savage” can get on top of her opponent and get to work, she is an absolute terror on the mat that deserves every bit of the accolades that come her way. However, getting there can often be an adventure. Robertson has obviously put in the work to become a more technical striker but still does not have much aptitude for fighting on the feet. She can get clearly taken out of a fight if an opponent can hit her hard, even if she has the ability to steel herself and regroup over time. Robertson decided to ply her trade at 115 pounds in 2023, and it really has not changed the calculation of her fights much. She is still a dynamo on the ground, but her June loss to Tabatha Ricci exposed a clear speed deficit on the feet to go along with her other issues. This fight against Viana lines up as a rebound win for Robertson, though it could prove to be a tricky test in practice given the chaos that “Dama de Ferro” is willing to bring to the table. In a way, Viana has had the opposite issue as Robertson. The Brazilian is confident enough to fight with pure aggression, though she is prone to putting herself in disadvantageous positions that wind up costing her a lot of her fights. Viana is potent enough that she can string together some quick and spectacular wins—she blasted Jinh Yu Frey in just 47 seconds back in 2022 and has a knack for finding a low-percentage armbar—but this does look like Robertson’s fight to lose, particularly since the Brazilian is more than willing to play her game when she tries to take this to the mat. The pick is Robertson via first-round submission.

Jump To »
Katona vs. Armfield
Jourdain vs. Woodson
Sidey vs. Taveras
Robertson vs. Viana
Lainesse vs. Patterson
Jasudavicius vs. Cachoeira
Gordon vs. Flick