Mackenzie Dern denies having issues with Gillian Robertson: "I've never even met her"

Mackenzie Dern has responded to Gillian Robertson's claims that she is being underestimated ahead of their bout at UFC 330 this Saturday. Recently, the Canadian said she believes Dern has been downplaying her skills and trying to create tension before their fight. Now, the champion insists she has nothing against her opponent and has never even met her.

Mackenzie Dern Denies Tension with Gillian Robertson

Although Robertson has claimed that Dern was underestimating her ahead of their fight, the Brazilian has denied looking past the Canadian. In fact, the Brazilian pushed back against Robertson's comments and suggested the Canadian was actually the one trying to build tension before their matchup. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Dern pointed to their recent back-and-forth over their submission and grappling credentials but insisted she has no personal issues with Robertson.

"It's funny that people say that because I felt like she was the one who was ," Dern began. "[...] I didn't know who she was. I don't have anything against her, but I guess we do have some competitiveness right now besides the fact that we're going to be punching each other in the face. We've kind of been talking back and forth about who has better submissions and this and that. Who has better grappling in MMA? I'm not someone to put someone down to make myself go up. I definitely took that from her end. I have nothing against her. I've never even met her."

While there appears to be some competitiveness between the two fighters, Dern made it clear she does not see their exchanges as a personal rivalry.

Mackenzie Dern Welcomes Grappling Challenge

Despite the verbal exchange, Dern seems to be excited about the matchup itself. The champion said she likes facing fighters coming off long winning streaks and sees Robertson's grappling background as another reason to welcome the challenge.

"I like the matchup just the fact that she's a jiu-jitsu girl. I also like the fact that she's coming off a five-fight win streak. When I fought Virna , she was also on a four or five fight win streak. I like fighting people who are on win streaks. I like trying to stop their win streak. That's always a good, fun challenge for me. Her being a grappler, I was like OK, this is good."

Both fighters are widely regarded as two of the best female grapplers in the UFC, with Robertson holding the record for most submissions in the promotion and Dern ranking second. While the Canadian is known for her top pressure and chain wrestling, the Brazilian relies heavily on her elite jiu-jitsu.

Entering the matchup on a five-fight winning streak, Robertson will look to keep her momentum going and pull off the biggest win of her career. Dern, meanwhile, will make her first title defense against one of the division's most accomplished grapplers.