Michelle Waterson is an American MMA fighter and model who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and as of October 12, 2020, she is No 7 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings. Michelle Waterson is the former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. Between 2013–2014 she was ranked the No 1 women’s Atomweight fighter in the world.
Michelle Waterson was born on January 6, 1986, in Aurora, Colorado, having Caucasian and Thai descent. She initially started practicing gymnastics, but later turned to karate at the age of ten. Michelle Waterson holds a black belt in American Freestyle Karate and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She has also trained in Wushu, Muay Thai, boxing, and wrestling. Her nickname is “The Karate Hottie”.
Michelle Waterson made her professional MMA debut at ROF 28 – Evolution on February 16, 2007, versus Andrea Miller, winning by unanimous decision. The same year had 3 more fights but registered 2 losses (from Alicia Gumm and Lynn Alvarez) and 1 win (versus Jaime Cook). The next year, 2008, was quite more successful for Michelle Waterson an she got 3 wins – versus Thricia Poovey at KOTC – Badlands (by TKO), versus Krystal Macatol at SCA – Duke City Bike and Brawl 2 (by armbar submission armbar), and versus Tyra Parker at Strikeforce – Payback (by rear-naked choke submission). She developed her fighting abilities and during the next years, 2009 and 2010, also registered a strong personal record of 3-1-0 (W-L-D).
In 2012, Michelle Waterson signed with Invicta FC. She debuted in the championship on October 06, 2012, versus Lacey Sears, winning by split decision. She challenged for the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship when she faced Jessica Penne in the main event of Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson on April 5, 2013. Michelle Waterson won the fight via armbar submission in the Round 4 to become the Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. On September 6, 2014, Michelle Waterson successfully defended her championship against Yasuko Tamada in the main event of Invicta FC 8 via TKO in Round 3.
On April 28, 2015, it was reported that Michelle Waterson had officially signed with the UFC and was expected to compete in the Women’s Strawweight division. She debuted versus Angela Magana on July 12, 2015, winning by rear-naked choke submission in Round 3. Her next fight was versus Paige VanZant on December 17, 2016, winning again by rear-naked choke submission in Round 1. Since then she had moderate success in UFC.
The professional MMA record of 18-8-0 (W-L-D).
Michelle Waterson hot photos