Former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson is set to make her Octagon debut on July 12th at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale in Florida. Waterson, who is moving back up to 115 pounds, takes on outspoken TUF 20 alum Angela “Your Majesty” Magana.
Long before she captured Invicta FC gold in April 2013, Waterson spent the first two years of her career competing as a strawweight; winning six of her nine bouts. She now makes her much-anticipated UFC debut against the polarising Magana, who looks to put an end to a three-fight losing skid.
Waterson (12-4-0) debuted in MMA in February 2007 and spent most of the early portion of her career competing in her native Colorado, including in an October 2008 victory for Strikeforce. Her run at 115 pounds ended in April 2009 when she was repeatedly dropped and ultimately finished in the second round of a strawweight title contender’s bout by former world champion boxer Elena “Babydoll” Reid. The devastating loss prompted Waterson to move down in weight and she picked up back-to-back first-round stoppage wins before taking a lengthy hiatus from fighting following the birth of her daughter.
After making a successful return to the cage in early 2012, Waterson signed with the upstart Invicta Fighting Championships and she won her promotional debut later that year. The following April, she shocked onlookers by submitting Jessica Penne to become the second Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. Waterson made one successful title defence by dominating Yasuko “Ikuko” Tamada at Invicta FC 8, but she relinquished her belt to Brazilian submission specialist Hérica Tibúrcio at Invicta FC 10 in December. She now prepares for her most high-profile fight to date in July.
Magana (11-7-0) has faced high-level opponents throughout her career and she holds notable victories over current WSOF champion Jessica “Jag” Aguilar and Invicta FC Flyweight Champion Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak. However, her controversial antics outside of the cage have often overshadowed her fighting accomplishments, and Magana has encountered a large contingent of critics following her time on TUF 20, which ended with a loss in the elimination round. The eight-year veteran faces a must-win situation in July after dropping her UFC debut to Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres at the TUF 20 Finale.
The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale takes place on July 12th at a city to be announced in Florida.
(Photo Credit: Esther Lin, AllElbows.com / InvictaFC.com)