Michelle Waterson-Gomez
The Karate Hottie
USA
Announces retirement after defeat
Waterson-Gomez lost to Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 26-30) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas. She announced her retirement after the bout.
ANALYSIS
Now 38 years of age and a loser of five in a row, it certainly seems to be the correct time for Waterson-Gomez to step away. The UFC ran a video package for her after the bout, so this appeared to be coming regardless of tonight's result. Waterson-Gomez wasn't the least bit competitive in this fight, spending virtually the entire bout being dominated by Robertson on the mat. As is always the case, Michelle displayed plenty of heart in the defeat. Waterson-Gomez joined the UFC in July 2015 after an excellent run in Invicta. A natural atomweight (105 pounds), Waterson-Gomez simply wasn't able to replicate that success in the higher weight class. "The Karate Hottie" had a great run and will close her UFC career with a 6-9 record in 15 career bouts.
Now 38 years of age and a loser of five in a row, it certainly seems to be the correct time for Waterson-Gomez to step away. The UFC ran a video package for her after the bout, so this appeared to be coming regardless of tonight's result. Waterson-Gomez wasn't the least bit competitive in this fight, spending virtually the entire bout being dominated by Robertson on the mat. As is always the case, Michelle displayed plenty of heart in the defeat. Waterson-Gomez joined the UFC in July 2015 after an excellent run in Invicta. A natural atomweight (105 pounds), Waterson-Gomez simply wasn't able to replicate that success in the higher weight class. "The Karate Hottie" had a great run and will close her UFC career with a 6-9 record in 15 career bouts.
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Fight moved to June 29
Waterson-Gomez's strawweight fight against Gillian Robertson has been rescheduled for June 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The duo was initially scheduled to meet on June 1, but the event has been rescheduled, and now the bout will be part of UFC 303 at IFW 2024 in Las Vegas. Waterson-Gomez is looking to bounce back after four losses in a row.
The duo was initially scheduled to meet on June 1, but the event has been rescheduled, and now the bout will be part of UFC 303 at IFW 2024 in Las Vegas. Waterson-Gomez is looking to bounce back after four losses in a row.
Set to take on Robertson
Waterson-Gomez will take on Gillian Robertson in a strawweight fight at UFC 203 on June 1, according to MMA reporter David Van Auken.
ANALYSIS
Waterson-Gomez is set to enter the octagon for he first time since September 2023, and even though she has struggled of late with four losses in a row, she represents a tougher challenge compared to the other recent opponents Robertson had been facing.
Waterson-Gomez is set to enter the octagon for he first time since September 2023, and even though she has struggled of late with four losses in a row, she represents a tougher challenge compared to the other recent opponents Robertson had been facing.
Obliterated by Marina Rodriguez
Waterson lost to Marina Rodriguez via TKO (punches) at 2:42 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Waterson had struggled of late, entering having lost three in a row, but even in those defeats, she was at least somewhat competitive before ultimately losing. Here, she was dominated. Waterson landed an early takedown, but once Rodriguez worked her way back to her feet, everything changed. Michelle absorbed an insane amount of punishment in Round 1 to the point that all three judges scored the frame 10-8 for Rodriguez. Referee Kerry Hatley could have stopped the bout on multiple occasions, finally pulling the plug about midway through Round 2. Now 37 years of age, Waterson, the former Invicta Atomweight (105-pound) Champion, has never been able to find her footing with the UFC. She falls to 1-6 in her past seven fights.
Waterson had struggled of late, entering having lost three in a row, but even in those defeats, she was at least somewhat competitive before ultimately losing. Here, she was dominated. Waterson landed an early takedown, but once Rodriguez worked her way back to her feet, everything changed. Michelle absorbed an insane amount of punishment in Round 1 to the point that all three judges scored the frame 10-8 for Rodriguez. Referee Kerry Hatley could have stopped the bout on multiple occasions, finally pulling the plug about midway through Round 2. Now 37 years of age, Waterson, the former Invicta Atomweight (105-pound) Champion, has never been able to find her footing with the UFC. She falls to 1-6 in her past seven fights.
Will get a rematch
Waterson will get a rematch against Marina Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 79 on Sept. 23, according toMarcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Waterson will be coming into this fight without much momentum after dropping a fight to Luana Pinheiro via split decision. Now 37 years old, Waterson has lost five of her last six fights. The last time she matched up with Rodriguez, Waterson lost via unanimous decision and simply didn't have the size to get the job done. She'll be a clear underdog.
Waterson will be coming into this fight without much momentum after dropping a fight to Luana Pinheiro via split decision. Now 37 years old, Waterson has lost five of her last six fights. The last time she matched up with Rodriguez, Waterson lost via unanimous decision and simply didn't have the size to get the job done. She'll be a clear underdog.
Gets no help from judges in loss
Waterson lost to Luana Pinheiro via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 287 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Waterson was highly unlikely to go on any sort of run regardless of the result here considering she turned 37 years of age this past January, but you can't help but think she deserved a better fate in this one. Facing a younger opponent with significantly more power, Waterson tried to manage the distance between the two and wear Pinheiro down with volume. It nearly worked. Michelle ate far too many leg kicks in the early going, and it left her compromised the rest of the way, but she was the significantly better conditioned fighter and thus appeared to do enough in Round 3 to earn the decision. Waterson has now lost three in a row and five of six dating back to October 2019. There's plenty of gas left in the tank considering how hard Waterson trains, but this is going to be a tough result to get past.
Waterson was highly unlikely to go on any sort of run regardless of the result here considering she turned 37 years of age this past January, but you can't help but think she deserved a better fate in this one. Facing a younger opponent with significantly more power, Waterson tried to manage the distance between the two and wear Pinheiro down with volume. It nearly worked. Michelle ate far too many leg kicks in the early going, and it left her compromised the rest of the way, but she was the significantly better conditioned fighter and thus appeared to do enough in Round 3 to earn the decision. Waterson has now lost three in a row and five of six dating back to October 2019. There's plenty of gas left in the tank considering how hard Waterson trains, but this is going to be a tough result to get past.