Michelle Waterson-Gomez | |
---|---|
Born | Michelle Eileen Waterson January 6, 1986 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
Other names | The Karate Hottie |
Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) [1] |
Weight | 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st) |
Division | Atomweight (2012–2015) Strawweight (2007–2012, 2015–2024) Flyweight (2008, 2021) |
Reach | 62 in (157 cm) [2] |
Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
Team | Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2007–present) [3] |
Rank | Black belt in American freestyle karate [4] Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [4] [5] under Rafael de Freitas and Roberto Alencar [6] |
Years active | 2007–2024 (MMA) 2008 (Kickboxing) |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 1 |
Wins | 0 |
Losses | 1 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 31 |
Wins | 18 |
By knockout | 3 |
By submission | 9 |
By decision | 6 |
Losses | 13 |
By knockout | 2 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 7 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Michelle Eileen Waterson-Gomez [7] (born January 6, 1986) is an American former mixed martial artist, actress, stuntwoman, and model who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. Between 2013 and 2014, she was ranked the No. 1 women's atomweight fighter in the world. [8]
Born in Colorado Springs and raised in Aurora, Waterson is of European and Thai descent: her father is American and mother Thai. [9] She began her modeling career in 2004 after she graduated from Aurora Central High School. [10] [11] She then attended the University of Denver, also working as a waitress at Hooters, until she realized she wanted to pursue a career in fighting. [12]
Her early interest in gymnastics, and inability to pay for classes, led her to karate at the age of ten. [13]
Waterson holds a black belt in American freestyle karate and has also trained in wushu, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. [14]
Waterson rose to fame as a contestant on the Muay Thai-themed Fight Girls reality show on the Oxygen television network. [15] She was also featured as one of the fighters in the MTV/MTV2 reality show Bully Beatdown . [16]
Waterson made her MMA debut on February 16, 2007, at Ring of Fire 28: Evolution against Andrea Miller, winning the fight by unanimous decision. [17] She made her debut without having any amateur fights. [18]
She faced Freestyle Cage Fighting champion Lynn Alvarez at Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed on December 1, 2007, but lost by submission in the first round. [17]
Waterson made her Strikeforce debut against Tyra Parker at Strikeforce: Payback on October 3, 2008. [15] She won the fight by rear naked choke submission in the first round. [19]
Waterson faced Karina Taylor at Duke City MMA Series 1 on March 1, 2009. [20] She won the fight by armbar submission in the first round. There was some controversy with this fight because Taylor did not tap out to the armbar. [21]
On April 11, 2009, Waterson fought former WIBA and IFBA Flyweight Boxing Champion Elena Reid at Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown. [22] Reid won the fight by TKO in the second round. [23]
Waterson faced the debuting Rosary Califano at EB - Beatdown at 4 Bears 6 and won by submission due to a flying armbar in just 15 seconds. [24]
She faced Masako Yoshida at Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl on April 24, 2010. [25] Waterson won the fight by TKO in the first round. [26]
Waterson returned to MMA on January 21, 2012. She faced Diana Rael at Jackson's MMA Series 7 [27] and won the fight by rear-naked choke in the first round. [28]
Waterson faced Lacey Schuckman at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012. [29] After three back and forth rounds, Waterson defeated Schuckman via split decision. [30] The bout was named Fight of the Night. [31]
Waterson 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. [32] [33] [34] Waterson won the fight via armbar submission in the fourth round to become the Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. [35] [36] On September 6, 2014, Waterson successfully defended her championship against Yasuko Tamada in the main event of Invicta FC 8 via TKO in the third round. [37]
Waterson next headlined Invicta FC 10 on December 5, 2014, in Houston against Brazilian Hérica Tibúrcio. [38] She lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round. [39]
On April 28, 2015, it was reported that Waterson had officially signed with the UFC and was expected to compete in the Women's Strawweight division. Waterson made her promotional debut against Angela Magaña on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. [40] She won the fight via submission in the third round. [41]
Waterson was next expected to meet Tecia Torres at UFC 194. [42] However, she was forced to pull out of the bout on November 24, 2015, citing a knee injury. [43]
After over a year-and-a-half away from the sport due to injuries, Waterson returned in December 2016 to face Paige VanZant in the main event at UFC on Fox 22. [44] She won the fight via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in the first round. The win also earned Waterson her first Performance of the Night bonus award. [45]
Waterson fought Rose Namajunas on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. [46] She lost via rear naked choke. Waterson faced Tecia Torres on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218. [47] She lost the fight by unanimous decision. [48]
Waterson faced Cortney Casey at UFC on Fox 29 on April 14, 2018. [49] She won the fight via split decision. [50] Waterson next faced Felice Herrig on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. [51] She won the fight via unanimous decision. [52]
Waterson fought Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC on ESPN 2 on March 30, 2019. [53] She won the fight via unanimous decision. [54]
Waterson faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk on October 12, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 161. [55] She lost the fight via unanimous decision. [56]
Waterson was scheduled to face Carla Esparza on April 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. [57] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed [58] and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020 at UFC 249. [59] She lost the fight via split decision. [60]
Waterson was scheduled to meet Angela Hill on August 22, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 15. [61] However, due to some personal reasons on Waterson's side, the bout was moved three weeks later to UFC Fight Night 177. [62] She won the fight via split decision. [63] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award. [64] After the fight, Waterson was awarded her BJJ brown belt in the octagon from her coach, Gracie Barra's Rafael 'Barata' Freitas. [65]
Waterson was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257. [66] However, Waterson pulled out of the bout in early December due to undisclosed reasons. [67] She was replaced by Marina Rodriguez. [68] In May 2021, Waterson clarified that the reason for withdrawal was the loss of two grandparents. [11]
Waterson faced Marina Rodriguez in a flyweight bout on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24. [69] She lost the fight via unanimous decision. [70]
Waterson was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas on March 26, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 205. [71] However, the bout was postponed to UFC 274 on May 7, 2022 due to Waterson sustaining an undisclosed injury. [72]
Waterson faced Amanda Lemos on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3. [73] She lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round. [74]
Waterson faced Luana Pinheiro on April 8, 2023 at UFC 287. [75] She lost the close bout via split decision. [76]
Waterson faced Marina Rodriguez in a rematch on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. [77] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. [78]
Waterson was expected to face Gillian Robertson on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302. [79] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved and eventually took place at UFC 303 on June 29, 2024. [80] She lost the fight via unanimous decision, and subsequently announced her retirement from mixed martial arts competition. [81]
Waterson is married to former U.S. Armed Forces amateur boxing champion Joshua Gomez. [86] [87] On September 16, 2010, Waterson announced that she was pregnant with her first child and recently engaged. [88] She gave birth to a daughter on March 18, 2011. [89]
Waterson got her "Karate Hottie" nickname while a spokesmodel for a bikini website. [12]
In 2008, Knockouts released a calendar featuring her. [90]
She is featured in the music video for Head Crusher, the first single from the Endgame album by the American Metal band Megadeth. [91]
Waterson performed some stunts for Natalie Portman in the Marvel movie Thor . [92]
On June 24, 2014, she appeared on American Ninja Warrior but failed to qualify when she fell on the first obstacle.[ citation needed ]
She was also featured on Bully Beatdown . She was the central character of the 2016 documentary Fight Mom. [93] [94]
In 2017, Waterson competed on the special mini-series for the MTV reality show The Challenge titled Champs vs. Stars . [95] That same year, she was featured in The Body Issue. [96]
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | MacGruber | Club Babe #1 | Stunt double: Kristen Wiig |
2011 | Thor | Utility stunts | |
2011 | Fright Night | Vamp #2 | |
2012 | Jackie | Chinese waitress | |
2013 | Odd Thomas | Stunts | |
2013 | The Lone Ranger | Stunts | |
2014 | The Signal | Stunt double: Olivia Cooke | |
2014 | Transcendence | Stunts | |
2016 | Independence Day: Resurgence | Stunts | |
2022 | The Cleaning Lady | MMA Fighter #1 | Episode: "TNT" |
2025 | Havoc [97] |
31 matches | 18 wins | 13 losses |
By knockout | 3 | 2 |
By submission | 9 | 4 |
By decision | 6 | 7 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 18–13 | Gillian Robertson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 303 | June 29, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 18–12 | Marina Rodriguez | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot | September 23, 2023 | 2 | 2:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 18–11 | Luana Pinheiro | Decision (split) | UFC 287 | April 8, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
Loss | 18–10 | Amanda Lemos | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez | July 16, 2022 | 2 | 1:48 | Elmont, New York, United States | |
Loss | 18–9 | Marina Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson | May 8, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Flyweight bout. |
Win | 18–8 | Angela Hill | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill | September 12, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
Loss | 17–8 | Carla Esparza | Decision (split) | UFC 249 | May 9, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
Loss | 17–7 | Joanna Jędrzejczyk | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson | October 12, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
Win | 17–6 | Karolina Kowalkiewicz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje | March 30, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 16–6 | Felice Herrig | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 229 | October 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 15–6 | Cortney Casey | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | April 14, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
Loss | 14–6 | Tecia Torres | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 218 | December 2, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
Loss | 14–5 | Rose Namajunas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 15, 2017 | 2 | 2:47 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
Win | 14–4 | Paige VanZant | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson | December 17, 2016 | 1 | 3:21 | Sacramento, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 13–4 | Angela Magaña | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale | July 12, 2015 | 3 | 2:38 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Strawweight. |
Loss | 12–4 | Hérica Tibúrcio | Submission (guillotine choke) | Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio | December 5, 2014 | 3 | 1:06 | Houston, Texas, United States | Lost the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
Win | 12–3 | Yasuko Tamada | TKO (knee and punch) | Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada | September 6, 2014 | 3 | 4:58 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Defended the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. |
Win | 11–3 | Jessica Penne | Submission (armbar) | Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson | April 5, 2013 | 4 | 2:31 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Won the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. |
Win | 10–3 | Lacey Schuckman | Decision (split) | Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama | October 6, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Atomweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
Win | 9–3 | Diana Rael | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Jackson's MMA Series 7 | January 21, 2012 | 1 | 2:12 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 8–3 | Masako Yoshida | TKO (punches) | Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl | April 24, 2010 | 1 | 4:17 | Fargo, North Dakota, United States | |
Win | 7–3 | Rosary Califano | Submission (flying armbar) | Beatdown at 4 Bears 6 | February 13, 2010 | 1 | 0:15 | New Town, North Dakota, United States | |
Loss | 6–3 | Elena Reid | TKO (punches) | Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown | April 11, 2009 | 2 | 1:50 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
Win | 6–2 | Karina Taylor | Technical Submission (armbar) | Duke City MMA Series 1 | March 14, 2009 | 1 | 2:36 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 5–2 | Tyra Parker | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Strikeforce: Payback | October 3, 2008 | 1 | 1:20 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Flyweight bout. |
Win | 4–2 | Krystal Macatol | Submission (armbar) | SCA: Bike n Brawl 2 | August 23, 2008 | 1 | 0:22 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 3–2 | Thricia Poovey | TKO (corner stoppage) | KOTC: Badlands | July 12, 2008 | 2 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
Loss | 2–2 | Lynn Alvarez | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed | December 1, 2007 | 1 | 1:19 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
Win | 2–1 | Jaime Cook | Submission (armbar) | Ring of Fire 30: Domination | September 15, 2007 | 1 | 1:33 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
Loss | 1–1 | Alicia Gumm | Decision (unanimous) | RMBB: Battle of the Arts | June 30, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Andrea Miller | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Fire 28: Evolution | February 16, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States |
0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008-03-22 | Loss | Catia Vitoria | XFA 1 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Kaitlin Young is an American former mixed martial artist who last competed in the lightweight division. A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, Young has also competed for EliteXC, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Professional Fighters League (PFL)
Sarah Elizabeth Kaufman is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist (MMA). She competed in the women's bantamweight division where she is a former Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. Kaufman was the inaugural Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion and was also the first and only Hardcore Championship Fighting Women's Bantamweight Champion.
Zoila Frausto is an American kickboxer and former professional mixed martial artist. She was the first Bellator Women's Champion.
Joanne Wood is a Scottish retired professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai champion who competed in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Cat Zingano is an American mixed martial artist, currently signed to Bellator MMA, competing in the Women's Featherweight division. Zingano also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and on April 13, 2013, she became the first woman to win a UFC fight by technical knockout (TKO). At the time of her departure from the UFC, she was No. 7 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings.
Jessica Penne is an American professional mixed martial artist. Penne competed in the Women's Strawweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was the first Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. She also competed in the first women's bout in Bellator Fighting Championships.
Carla Kristen Esparza is an American former professional mixed martial artist and wrestler who most recently competed in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in which she is the former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. Esparza was the first UFC Strawweight Champion, the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, and was generally considered the best Strawweight fighter in the world during both title reigns. She first earned the UFC championship by winning a 16-woman tournament that was televised on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. She also competed in Bellator MMA's first women's tournament.
Julia Budd is a Canadian mixed martial artist and kickboxer competing in the featherweight division. She was the first Bellator Women's Featherweight World Champion and has also fought in Strikeforce, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Bec Rawlings is an Australian mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, who currently competes in the flyweight division.
Barbara Marie Honchak is a retired American professional female mixed martial artist. She is the first Invicta FC Flyweight Champion. She has four wins in the Invicta FC promotion and holds notable victories over Vanessa Porto, Roxanne Modafferi, Leslie Smith and Felice Herrig.
Leslie Smith is an American professional female mixed martial artist. She formerly competed in Invicta FC where she was a main card staple of the organization, having fought on the main card four times in the first five shows. She also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Smith fights out of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team and is noted for a similar level of high volume striking and aggressiveness to other members of that camp. Smith most recently competed in the Bellator Fighting Championships at featherweight.
Lauren Marie Murphy is an American professional mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Women's Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Murphy formerly competed for Invicta FC where she is a former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion.
Jennifer Apreciada Gonçalves de Maia is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Women's Flyweight division. Maia trains at Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil. A professional since 2009, Maia is most notable for her 12 bout stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and for being the former Invicta FC Flyweight World Champion.
Vanessa Alessandra Teixeira Porto is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and amateur boxer who competes in the flyweight division.
Tecia Lyn Pennington is an American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 8, 2024, she is #15 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.
Jodie Esquibel is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She has also fought for Invicta FC.
Angela Patrice Hill is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was formerly signed with the Invicta Fighting Championships, where she was the strawweight champion. She is also a former World Kickboxing Association champion. As of November 12, 2024, she is #13 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz is a Polish mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion.
Angela Magaña is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is also known for competing on The Ultimate Fighter 20 for Team Melendez.