Gillian Robertson Issues Statement on Din Thomas Controversy After UFC 330 Loss
Robertson said she has not responded to Thomas' apology, citing doubts about its sincerity, and indicated she will focus on recovery while the future of their coaching relationship remains uncertain.
Gillian Robertson broke her silence about the dispute with longtime coach Din Thomas following her defeat to strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330. In a statement shared with The Ariel Helwani Show, Robertson said Thomas did not inform her in advance of his decision to retire from corner work, which he announced on the post-fight broadcast.
"Prior to the broadcast, I didn’t see any sign of what was to be said," Robertson said, adding that Thomas later told her he would address the issue the next morning and then went live on his podcast fifteen minutes later.
Robertson noted that private communications between her team and Thomas have not resolved the tension. She said Thomas sent a voice-message apology in the evening, which she has not answered because of subsequent comments he made to her team, suggesting the public apology was motivated by television ratings.
"Me doing that publicly was more so for TV purposes and ratings," she quoted Thomas as saying.
Thomas, who has coached Robertson since she was 15, also told her that he sees no further conversation needed and that the promoters who pay her are satisfied.
Robertson said she will concentrate on rest and recovery and hopes to return to training soon, aiming to re-enter the title conversation.
"As for now, I regroup, take some time to heal, and I will be back in the gym as soon as possible on the same mission," she said.