Din Thomas apologizes to Gillian Robertson after UFC 330, admits he ‘stole her moment’
Din Thomas didn’t need much time to realize he had handled the aftermath of UFC 330 the wrong way.
Thomas served double duty at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, working as an on-air analyst and also as a coach in the corner for Canada’s Gillian Robertson for her strawweight title fight in the co-main event against Mackenzie Dern.
After Robertson’s loss to Dern, Thomas announced his retirement from cornering fighters immediately after the bout. In the days after the event, Thomas admitted that he had chosen the worst possible moment to make the situation about himself — and apologized to his longtime fighter for stealing the spotlight from her biggest fight.
“We know how this is: it’s an emotional roller-coaster,” Thomas said at the beginning of the UFC’s Deep Waters show. “You’re dealing with the same insecurities, the same highs and lows. Everything leading up to it, you have to deal with all that stuff. It’s an emotional roller-coaster.
“And I’ve been very vocal about this, that it’s not my favourite thing to do. I’ve tried to quit, time and time before. When Tyron Woodley got knocked out by Jake Paul, I was like, ‘Yo, it’s my last time doing this. It’s my last time doing this. I’m not doing this no more.’
“But I took on Gillian. And I have to say, Saturday night was the most inappropriate time for me to bring up the fact that I did not want to corner again. It was completely irresponsible. It was despicable. I shouldn’t have done it. I should have waited until maybe even today. I should have waited to a different time than take away her moment.”
Thomas and Robertson have worked together for the entirety of her professional career, with the former UFC fighter and longtime coach playing a major role in her development.
Given their relationship and the history they’ve achieved together, Thomas admitted that he is even more disappointed in himself for how he handled the aftermath of UFC 330.
“This is a young lady that I’ve worked with for her entire career,” Thomas said. “The last seven years, it’s just been me and her, working endlessly, just together — travelling, working together.
“They don’t understand that we’ve been working endlessly, time and time again, together. And I remember her coming to me crying, ‘I would like to win two in a row, three in a row.’ And she went on this amazing run. She’s broken records.
“And I, selfishly, stole her moment that night. Instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that, because I stole her moment. I was completely wrong. I’m ashamed. I’m embarrassed. But I’m not too big to say I’m sorry.”
Robertson entered UFC 330 riding a five-fight winning streak and looking to become the strawweight champion for the first time.
For Thomas, Robertson’s performance was another reason she deserved to have the spotlight on her after the fight.
“And for her, Gillian, I love you. I got your back. I’ve always had your back. This is not the end,” Thomas said.
“I want you to know I’m always here for you. I’m always going to support you, and whatever you need, I’m always here for you. The same way I’ve been for you for the last seven years when it was just us.”
Thomas also revealed that the incident had been weighing on him throughout the weekend, and he wished he had been able to apologize sooner.
“It’s been eating at me all weekend,” Thomas said. “I wish I could have done it sooner, but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the chance to.
“So, Gillian, I’m sorry. I hope you accept my apology. If it takes however long, that’s how long it takes. But I’m sorry for stealing your moment, and I’m proud of you. Not only for what you’ve done in terms of your run, winning five in a row, getting a title shot, but even that night, coming back and winning the last round. Being able to do that in a title fight.
“So, I’m sorry. I hope you accept my apology. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”
Thomas made it clear that he wasn’t trying to excuse what happened, but he also explained what was going through his mind immediately after Robertson’s loss.
“In my head, I’m thinking, ‘I’m just trying to get the hell out of here. I don’t want to do this no more. I’m sick of this!’” Thomas said.
“I’m heartbroken, but I’ve got to get on the desk and be objective, as well. And at the same time, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Man, I don’t even like cornering. I just want to go home. I’m trying to get out of here. This is a wrap.’
“So, it’s a tough spot. But again, I’m still wrong. I shouldn’t have done that.”