Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Michelle Waterson-Gomez: The Karate Hottie and UFC Women's Flyweight Veteran

Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson-Gomez, born January 6, 1986 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an American mixed martial artist (MMA) and former Invicta FC Champion. She competes in the UFC women's flyweight division and is known for her impressive background in traditional martial arts such as karate. With her versatile skill set, dynamic style, and experience at the highest levels, Waterson-Gomez is a respected and beloved fighter in the MMA world.

Early Life and Career

Michelle Waterson-Gomez began her martial arts career at a young age in karate, where she earned a black belt and earned the nickname "The Karate Hottie" for her combination of martial arts skills and modeling career. Her passion for martial arts expanded to other disciplines, including Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and boxing, eventually leading her to MMA.

In 2007, Waterson-Gomez made her professional MMA debut and quickly built a reputation as a versatile and dynamic fighter with a strong emphasis on striking, thanks to her karate background.

Invicta FC and Championship

Michelle Waterson-Gomez made her breakthrough in 2013 when she won the Invicta FC atomweight title by defeating Jessica Penne via fourth-round submission. Her dominant performances as champion brought her worldwide recognition and established her as one of the best female fighters in her weight class.

Her title defense against Yasuko Tamada in 2014 resulted in an impressive TKO victory, further cementing her status as Invicta FC champion. Although she later lost her title to Herica Tiburcio, her success in Invicta FC opened the door to bigger opportunities in the UFC.

UFC Career

In 2015, Michelle Waterson-Gomez signed with the UFC and made her debut for the promotion at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale, where she defeated Angela Magana via submission. Her UFC career has been marked by strong performances against some of the top fighters in the women's strawweight and flyweight divisions, including fights against top contenders such as Rose Namajunas, Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Carla Esparza.

Waterson-Gomez continued to impress with her versatility in the octagon, combining her karate background with strong grappling and submission skills. She scored key victories over fighters such as Paige VanZant, Angela Hill and Karolina Kowalkiewicz, cementing her position as one of the division's top contenders.

Style and Technique

Michelle Waterson-Gomez is known for her dynamic fighting style, particularly her signature karate techniques. She uses her speed, precision and unpredictable movement to surprise her opponents with kicks and punches from various angles. Her strong striking is supported by her solid grappling skills, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which allows her to control fights both standing and on the ground.

Waterson-Gomez's versatility makes her a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. Her experience in multiple disciplines allows her to adapt to different fighting styles, and her fighting spirit and heart always make her dangerous in the octagon.

Future Ambitions

Michelle Waterson-Gomez remains focused on her goal of breaking through to the top of the UFC women’s flyweight division. Despite some setbacks, she remains determined to further develop her skills and re-establish herself as a serious title contender. Her experience and talent make her a continuing force in the division.

Conclusion

Michelle Waterson-Gomez is a respected veteran of the UFC women’s flyweight division, known for her impressive karate background, versatility, and fighting spirit. Her long career and success in both Invicta FC and the UFC have made her one of the most beloved and respected fighters in MMA. As she continues to work toward her goals in the UFC, Waterson-Gomez will remain a name to watch.