Michelle Waterson will attempt to pick up the pieces and turn things around after a tough defeat to Amanda Lemos at UFC on ABC 3.
Waterson (18-10 MMA, 6-6 UFC) returned from a 14-month layoff on Saturday’s card at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., but did not get the result she wanted after she got caught by a guillotine choke from Lemos (12-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the second round of their strawweight co-headliner.
After nearly being forced into retirement by an injury during her hiatus from competition, Waterson said pre-fight she was simply grateful to compete. Being on borrowed time doesn’t make the latest result any easier, and Waterson expressed her disappointment in the aftermath of her bout with Lemos.
“I’m super bummed – gutted, actually, about the loss,” Waterson said in a statement on her Instagram page. “I had an amazing camp, such amazing people around me including my teammates, coaches, my friends, my family, my loved ones helping me prepare for this camp. Best shape I’ve ever been in my life. Mentally, I was prepared. I felt good in the fight. I felt strong, and it was that split-second opportunity that Amanda was able to capitalize on, and hat’s off to her for seeing that and taking it.
“I’m bummed, but this isn’t the end of my story. I’m not injured, I’m healthy, I have my family. So I’m just going to enjoy the ride and keep training. I’ll stay ready and hopefully be able to be back in there as soon as possible.”
With the defeat, Waterson fell to a grim 1-4 in her past five fights dating back to October 2019. Her losses came to top-tier competition in Lemos, Marina Rodriguez, Carla Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but it appears she takes no solace in losing to only the best.
“The Karate Hottie” will turn 37 in January, and it remains to be seen what adjustments she’ll make to ensure victory in her next trip to the octagon, whenever that may be.
it should be the end. these relics are still around in wmma because nobody new has made much of name for themselves.
Its the haircut.
Thats why she lost.
The MMA gods do not abide.
Fans were booing this fight and shining the flashlights on their cameras towards the end of the fight Israel/Cannonier style. Totally ruined the pacing of the night, finish or not, and I blame this women’s fight for what happened in the main event. This would have never happened if this fight was on the prelims or first fight of the main card where it belongs!
She lost the fight…and then demanded to speak with manager.