Gillian Robertson holds the record for the most submission wins in UFC women's history
In short: Canadian mixed martial artist Gillian Robertson has redefined the ground game in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. With a record-breaking seven submission victories, she stands as a dominant force in the women's division. Her journey from a Niagara Falls teenager to a top-ranked strawweight contender reveals a relentless pursuit of grappling mastery.
Born in 1995, Robertson began her combat sports training at 16 with cardio kickboxing before transitioning to mixed martial arts. Her professional career took off in 2016 following a successful amateur stint. After appearing on the 26th season of The Ultimate Fighter, she secured a contract with the UFC, debuting in December 2017 with a first-round submission victory against Emily Whitmire. This win set the tone for a career defined by technical precision on the mat.
Robertson’s grappling expertise is underscored by her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, awarded by coach Din Thomas in 2020. Her proficiency is not limited to the octagon; she has frequently competed in professional grappling promotions like Submission Underground and Fury Pro Grappling. Notably, in December 2022, she submitted former two-time UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in just 65 seconds during the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 6. These performances highlight her ability to neutralize elite opponents through superior ground control.
Her UFC statistics reflect this dominance. As of August 2026, she holds the organization's record for the most submission wins by a female fighter, totaling seven. She is also tied with Amanda Nunes for the most finishes in UFC women's history, with ten. Beyond her technical skill, Robertson has demonstrated adaptability, such as in her November 2024 bout against Luana Pinheiro, where she executed the first legal 12–6 elbow strike following the rule change on November 1, 2024. Currently ranked #5 in the strawweight division, she continues to evolve, having recently challenged for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship in August 2026.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Gillian Robertson
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-gillian-robertson.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Festivals & celebrations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
