Michelle Waterson

Michelle Waterson
Born Michelle E. Waterson
January 6, 1986
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Other names The Karate Hottie
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight 105 lb (48 kg; 7.5 st)
Division Atomweight
Style Karate, Wushu, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Team Jackson's Mixed Martial Arts
Rank      black belt in Karate
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 12
By knockout 3
By submission 7
By decision 2
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By submission 2
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Michelle E. Waterson (born January 6, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion.

Waterson was the #6-ranked pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world by MMARising.com[1] and the #1-ranked Atomweight (105 lbs) according to the Unified Women's[2] and Fight Matrix all by the end of 2013.[3]

Early life

Born in Colorado Springs and raised in Aurora, Waterson is of Thai descent. She began her modeling career in 2004 after she graduated from Aurora Central High School.[4]

Early martial arts career

A karate student since the age of 10, Waterson holds a Black Belt in American Free Style Karate and has also trained in WuShu, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Boxing and wrestling.[5]

Waterson rose to fame as a contestant on the Muay Thai-themed Fight Girls reality show on the Oxygen television network.[6] She was also featured as one of the fighters in the MTV/MTV2 reality show Bully Beatdown.[7]

Professional mixed martial arts career

Waterson made her MMA debut on February 16, 2007 at Ring of Fire 28: Evolution against Andrea Miller and won the fight by unanimous decision.[8]

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.[8]

Waterson made her Strikeforce debut against Tyra Parker at Strikeforce: Payback on October 3, 2008.[6] She won the fight by rear naked choke submission in the first round.[9]

Waterson faced Karina Taylor at Duke City MMA Series 1 on March 1, 2009.[10] 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.[11]

On April 11, 2009, Waterson fought former WIBA and IFBA Flyweight Boxing Champion Elena Reid at Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown.[12] Reid won the fight by TKO in the second round.[13]

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.[14]

She faced Masako Yoshida at Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl on April 24, 2010.[15] Waterson won the fight by TKO in the first round.[16]

Waterson returned to MMA on January 21, 2012. She faced Diana Rael at Jackson's MMA Series 7[17] and won the fight by rear-naked choke in the first round.[18]

Invicta Fighting Championships

Waterson faced Lacey Schuckman at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012.[19] After three back and forth rounds, Waterson defeated Schuckman via split decision.[20] The bout was named Fight of the Night.[21]

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.[22][23][24] Waterson won the fight via armbar submission in the fourth round to become the Invicta FC Atomweight Champion.[25][26] 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.[27]

Waterson next headlined Invicta FC 10 on Friday, Dec. 5 in Houston against Brazilian Herica Tiburcio.[28] She lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round.[29]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On April 28, 2015 it was reported that Waterson had officially signed with the UFC and is expected to compete in the Women's Strawweight division. Waterson will make her UFC debut on The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale against Angela Magana on July 12th,2015.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Personal life

On September 16, 2010, Waterson announced that she was pregnant with her first child and recently engaged.[34] She gave birth to a daughter named Araya on March 18, 2011.[35]

Media appearances

In 2008, Knockouts released a calendar featuring her.[36]

She is featured in the music video for Head Crusher, the first single from the Endgame album by the American Metal band Megadeth.[37]

On June 24, 2014 she appeared on American Ninja Warrior but failed to qualify when she fell on the first obstacle.

She was also featured on "Bully Beatdown".

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–4 Herica Tiburcio 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.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–3 Yasuko Tamada TKO (knee and punches) Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada September 6, 2014 3 4:58 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Defended the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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 Invicta FC Atomweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–3 Lacey Schuckman Decision (split) Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama October 6, 2012 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Fight of the Night.[21]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–3 Masako Yoshida TKO (punches) Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl April 24, 2010 1 4:17 Fargo, North Dakota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–3 Rosary Califano Submission (flying armbar) EB - Beatdown at 4 Bears 6 February 13, 2010 1 0:15 New Town, North Dakota, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–3 Elena Reid TKO (punches) Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown April 11, 2009 2 1:50 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–2 Karina Taylor Technical Submission (armbar) Duke City MMA Series 1 March 14, 2009 1 2:36 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–2 Tyra Parker Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Payback October 3, 2008 1 1:20 Denver, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–2 Krystal Macatol Submission (armbar) SCA: Bike n Brawl 2 August 23, 2008 1 0:22 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–2 Thricia Poovey TKO (corner stoppage) King of the Cage: Badlands July 12, 2008 2 5:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 2–2 Lynn Alvarez Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed December 1, 2007 1 1:19 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–1 Jaime Cook Submission (armbar) Ring of Fire 30: Domination September 15, 2007 1 1:33 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 1–1 Alicia Gumm Decision (unanimous) RMBB: Battle of the Arts June 30, 2007 2 5:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Andrea Miller Decision (unanimous) Ring of Fire 28: Evolution February 16, 2007 3 3:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Women's MMA Pound-For-Pound Rankings". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  2. ↑ "Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  3. ↑ "Current MMA Rankings - Women". FightMatrix.com. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  4. ↑ "Michelle Waterson On The Cover of DSport Magazine". MMAFightGirls.com. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  5. ↑ "Exclusive Interview With Michelle Waterson". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "'Karate Hottie' Michelle Waterson readies for Strikeforce debut". MMAMania.com. 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson". MTV.com.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 ""KARATE HOTTIE" RETURNS TO RING OF FIRE". ROFMMA.com. 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  9. ↑ ""Strikeforce: Payback" live updates and official results". MMAjunkie.com. 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  10. ↑ "Duke City MMA Series 1". Sherdog.com. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  11. ↑ ""Series 1" shows serious strengths First official Saenz-Jackson’s card a hit in the Duke City; Barreras beats down Barlow in main go". NewMexicoCage.com. 2009-03-15. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  12. ↑ "Elena "Baby Doll" Reid takes on Michelle Waterson at ‘Extreme Beatdown’ on April 11". ProMMANow.com. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  13. ↑ "Tuchscherer, "Baby Doll" Reid and Forbes win at Extreme Beatdown". MMAjunkie.com. 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  14. ↑ "Michelle Waterson Wins At Extreme Beatdown 6". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
  15. ↑ "Waterson Set To Face Yoshida At "Spring Brawl"". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
  16. ↑ "Waterson Wins Impressively At "Spring Brawl"". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  17. ↑ "Michelle Waterson Returns To Face Diana Rael In January". MMARising.com. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  18. ↑ "Michelle Waterson Submits Diana Rael In Jackson’s Headliner". MMARising.com. 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  19. ↑ "Michelle Waterson vs Lacey Schuckman Agreed For Invicta FC 3". MMARising.com. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  20. ↑ "Invicta FC 3 Results: Jessica Penne Captures Atomweight Title". MMARising.com. 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Five Fighters Earn Bonuses At Invicta Fighting Championships 3". MMARising.com. 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  22. ↑ "Invicta FC 5 Targeted For April 13 In Cali, Champ Penne Meets Karate Hottie". MMAjunkie.com. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  23. ↑ "Jessica Penne vs Michelle Waterson Announced For Invicta FC 5". MMARising.com. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  24. ↑ "INVICTA FC BRINGS WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER TO AMERISTAR CASINO HOTEL KANSAS CITY FRIDAY, APRIL 5". InvictaFC.com. 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  25. ↑ "'Cyborg' Savages Muxlow, 'Karate Hottie' Crowned Via Dramatic Submission at Invicta FC 5". Sherdog.com. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  26. ↑ "Invicta FC 5 Results: Michelle Waterson, Barb Honchak Win Titles". MMARising.com. 2013-04-06. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  27. ↑ "Invicta FC 8 Results: Waterson Batters Tamada, Kankaanpaa Submits Eggink". CombatPress.com. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  28. ↑ "Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino Injured, Michelle Waterson vs. Herica Tiburcio Now Headlines Invicta FC 10". CombatPress.com. 11-1-2014. Retrieved 11-1-2014. Check date values in: |date=, |accessdate= (help)
  29. ↑ "Invicta FC 10 Results: Herica Tiburcio Stuns Michelle Waterson; Wins Title". fansided.com. 2014-12-05.
  30. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/4/28/8506007/ex-invicta-champ-michelle-waterson-signs-with-ufc
  31. ↑ http://www.awakeningfighters.com/wmma-2013-awards/
  32. ↑ http://www.awakeningfighters.com/awakening-wmma-awards-2014/
  33. ↑ http://hov-mma.com/2015/01/2014-hov-mma-awards.html
  34. ↑ "WATERSON TAKING A BREAK TO START HER FAMILY". MMAWeekly.com. 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  35. ↑ "Congratulations to Michelle Waterson". Fightergirls.com. 2011-04-01. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  36. ↑ "Michelle Waterson Featured in Knockout Haircut’s 2008 Calendar". MMAFightGirls.com. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  37. ↑ "Michelle Waterson Featured In Megadeth's "Head Crusher" Video". Noisecreep. Retrieved 2009-09-17.

External links

Preceded by
Jessica Penne		 2nd Invicta FC Atomweight Champion
April 5, 2013 - December 5, 2014 		Succeeded by
Herica Tiburcio