Fighters » Michelle Waterson-Gomez
Michelle Waterson-Gomez, known as “The Karate Hottie,” is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC and was a former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. She retired from MMA in 2024 after a 17-year professional career.
Notable Fights & Career Highlights
Michelle Waterson-Gomez faced many top fighters throughout her career, with these bouts being particularly significant:
- vs. Jessica Penne (Invicta FC 5 – April 5, 2013) – Won the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship via armbar submission in the fourth round. Waterson-Gomez considers this a crowning achievement, as she was a significant underdog but persevered in a back-and-forth war to claim the title.
- vs. Paige VanZant (UFC on Fox 22 – Dec. 17, 2016) – Won her UFC main event debut with a first-round rear-naked choke submission. This victory was a meaningful comeback after a series of injuries and earned her a Performance of the Night bonus.
- vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk (UFC Fight Night – Oct. 12, 2019) – Headlined a UFC Fight Night card against former champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Although she lost the fight by decision, it highlighted her status as a top contender in the strawweight division.
- Other Key Fights – Faced other notable opponents in the UFC, including Rose Namajunas, Carla Esparza, and Marina Rodriguez. Her fight against Angela Hill in September 2020 was a back-and-forth battle that earned the Fight of the Night honor.
Waterson-Gomez announced her retirement after her fight at UFC 303 in June 2024, expressing interest in pursuing opportunities in acting, broadcasting, and coaching.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez is part of the list "Badass Beauties: Top Fighters in the Game"
