Michelle Waterson

“The Karate Hottie”

MMA · Retired

18-13RECORD

3KO / TKO WINS

9SUBMISSION WINS

6DECISION WINS

Profile

Full name	Michelle Eileen Waterson-Gomez
Nickname	The Karate Hottie
Date of birth	6 Jan 1986
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Lives in	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Division	Strawweight / Atomweight
Team	Jackson Wink MMA Academy
Height	160 cm (5′3″)
Reach	157 cm (62″)
Stance	Not added yet
Years active	2007–2024
Status	Retired
Pro debut	16 Feb 2007
Last fight	Loss vs Gillian Robertson, 29 Jun 2024

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 10 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

Invicta FC Atomweight Champion (1 defense)
UFC Performance of the Night (vs. Paige VanZant)
UFC Fight of the Night (vs. Angela Hill)
Women's MMA Awards 2013 Atomweight of the Year

Background

Born in Colorado Springs and raised in Aurora, Waterson began as a karate practitioner and modeled before turning professional in 2007. She was Invicta FC Atomweight Champion and competed in the UFC from 2015 to 2024.

Fight history

31 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Event	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Gillian Robertson	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 303	29 Jun 2024	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	Marina Rodriguez	TKO (elbows and punches)	2	2:42	UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot	23 Sep 2023	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	Luana Pinheiro	Decision (split)	3	5:00	UFC 287	8 Apr 2023	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Loss	Amanda Lemos	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	1:48	UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez	16 Jul 2022	Elmont, New York, U.S.
Loss	Marina Rodriguez	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson	8 May 2021	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Flyweight bout
Win	Angela Hill	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill	12 Sep 2020	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Fight of the Night
Loss	Carla Esparza	Decision (split)	3	5:00	UFC 249	9 May 2020	Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Loss	Joanna Jędrzejczyk	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson	12 Oct 2019	Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Win	Karolina Kowalkiewicz	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje	30 Mar 2019	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win	Felice Herrig	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 229	6 Oct 2018	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	Cortney Casey	Decision (split)	3	5:00	UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje	14 Apr 2018	Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
Loss	Tecia Torres	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 218	2 Dec 2017	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Loss	Rose Namajunas	Submission (rear-naked choke)	2	2:47	UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis	15 Apr 2017	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Win	Paige VanZant	Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	3:21	UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson	17 Dec 2016	Sacramento, California, U.S.	Performance of the Night
Win	Angela Magaña	Submission (rear-naked choke)	3	2:38	The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale	12 Jul 2015	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Return to Strawweight
Loss	Hérica Tibúrcio	Submission (guillotine choke)	3	1:06	Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio	5 Dec 2014	Houston, Texas, U.S.	Lost the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship; Fight of the Night
Win	Yasuko Tamada	TKO (knee and punch)	3	4:58	Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada	6 Sep 2014	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.	Defended the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship
Win	Jessica Penne	Submission (armbar)	4	2:31	Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson	5 Apr 2013	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.	Won the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship
Win	Lacey Schuckman	Decision (split)	3	5:00	Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama	6 Oct 2012	Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.	Atomweight debut; Fight of the Night
Win	Diana Rael	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	2:12	Jackson's MMA Series 7	21 Jan 2012	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Win	Masako Yoshida	TKO (punches)	1	4:17	Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl	24 Apr 2010	Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Win	Rosary Califano	Submission (flying armbar)	1	0:15	Beatdown at 4 Bears 6	13 Feb 2010	New Town, North Dakota, U.S.
Loss	Elena Reid	TKO (punches)	2	1:50	Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown	11 Apr 2009	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Win	Karina Taylor	Technical Submission (armbar)	1	2:36	Duke City MMA Series 1	14 Mar 2009	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Win	Tyra Parker	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	1:20	Strikeforce: Payback	3 Oct 2008	Denver, Colorado, U.S.	Flyweight bout
Win	Krystal Macatol	Submission (armbar)	1	0:22	SCA: Bike n Brawl 2	23 Aug 2008	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Win	Thricia Poovey	TKO (corner stoppage)	2	5:00	KOTC: Badlands	12 Jul 2008	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Loss	Lynn Alvarez	Submission (guillotine choke)	1	1:19	Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed	1 Dec 2007	Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.
Win	Jaime Cook	Submission (armbar)	1	1:33	Ring of Fire 30: Domination	15 Sep 2007	Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.
Loss	Alicia Gumm	Decision (unanimous)	2	5:00	RMBB: Battle of the Arts	30 Jun 2007	Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Win	Andrea Miller	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	Ring of Fire 28: Evolution	16 Feb 2007	Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.