Veteran strawweight fighter Marina Rodriguez has announced her decision to retire from mixed martial arts after her recent bout.
Gillian Robertson became Rodriguez`s final opponent, securing a second-round TKO victory over the Brazilian at the UFC event held in Des Moines on Saturday.
Following the fight, Rodriguez used her post-fight interview to make the announcement, concluding a professional career that included 25 bouts.
She shared her reasoning, stating, “This is my last fight because it’s time. My heart told me, ‘Marina, it’s time to do something new for this sport.’ So this is my last fight.” She extended her gratitude to MMA fans, the UFC organization, and specifically thanked Dana White, reflecting that signing on the Contender Series “was the best day of my life.”
Rodriguez, 38, first joined the UFC ranks via the Brazilian version of Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2018. She quickly established herself as a significant presence in the 115-pound division. Her early UFC run saw her go 3-0-2 before a close split decision loss to Carla Esparza. She then embarked on an impressive four-fight winning streak, defeating notable contenders including Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Mackenzie Dern, and Yan Xiaonan. Despite these significant victories, a shot at the championship title remained out of reach.
Unfortunately, the loss on Saturday marked Rodriguez`s third consecutive defeat and her fifth loss in her last six outings. She retires with a professional record of 17 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws (17-6-2).
For Gillian Robertson, now holding a record of 16-8, this victory represents the most significant win of her career. Known for her finishing abilities, this marked the first time she has overcome a top 10 ranked opponent. The TKO finish also places Robertson in a tie with Amanda Nunes for the most finishes recorded by a female fighter in UFC history.
Robertson, a former flyweight, controlled the contest using her grappling skills before ending the fight with ground-and-pound strikes at the 2:07 mark of the second round.
