Gillian Robertson says Mackenzie Dern is underestimating her before UFC 330

Gillian Robertson has no problem turning up the intensity before stepping into the cage against Mackenzie Dern, admitting she hopes to get inside the champion's head ahead of their UFC 330 showdown.

Robertson (17-8 MMA, 14-6 UFC) will challenge for UFC gold for the first time on Saturday when she takes on strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) in the co-main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Speaking during UFC's media tour in Toronto, Robertson said she believes Dern has underestimated her throughout the build-up to the fight.

"From the things she's been saying in the media, I honestly feel like she doesn't like me – and I'm perfectly fine with that," Robertson said. "She claimed she didn't really know who I was before this fight and suggested my ground game isn't that good. To me, that just shows she's underestimating me. I don't even think she's watched my fights."

Robertson plans to use that perception to her advantage. Both fighters will face the media at Thursday's UFC 330 pre-fight press conference, and the Canadian contender is expecting — and even welcoming — some verbal exchanges.

"I'm a little nervous about it, but I actually want her to be angry," Robertson explained. "I want her to come at me aggressively. It's not that she'll suddenly fight harder because she's upset. I just want her to make mistakes and fall into the traps I've prepared."

Despite the pre-fight tension, Robertson says her confidence has never been higher. After more than nine years competing in MMA and earning her first championship opportunity, she believes she has developed into the most complete fighter of her career.

She also expects the championship rounds to be the difference.

"I think her pressure starts to fade in the later rounds, while mine stays the same," Robertson said. "We've already seen that in my fights. I usually start a bit slower, but I keep getting stronger as the fight goes on."

Robertson is so confident in her game plan that she has already predicted how the fight will end.

"I'll say third-round TKO. Honestly, it already feels like that belt belongs to me."