Mackenzie Dern preparing for first title defense at UFC 330
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 13, 2026, 12:50 PM
Last updated Aug 13, 2026
Mackenzie Dern is set to defend her UFC strawweight championship for the first time at UFC 330 against Gillian Robertson on Saturday. This match follows Dern's 10-month layoff, the longest of her career outside of a previous 17-month break due to pregnancy. Her coach, Jason Parillo, acknowledges concerns about ring rust but expresses confidence that the time has allowed Dern to improve her game. Robertson approaches this bout on a five-fight winning streak, earning her first title shot amid rising confidence.
- •UFC 330 takes place at Xfinity Mobile Center in Philadelphia.
- •Dern holds a professional record of 16-5 while Robertson is 17-8.
- •Parillo believes Dern has improved during her time off.
- •Robertson enters the fight with five consecutive wins.
- •Both fighters are preparing for a grappling-heavy matchup.
- 12:50 PMYahoo Sports — Jason Parillo 'a ring-rust guy' but isn't worried about Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330
"Mackenzie Dern will enter her first title defense at UFC 330 coming off the second-longest layoff of her career. Any reason to be worried?
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