Life as a mixed martial arts fighter is rarely easy. As a new parent, pursuing a career in MMA is even more of a challenge and it is one that atomweight star Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson deals with on a daily basis as she fights to become the top 105-pound female fighter in the sport.
With daughter Araya watching, Waterson has posted back-to-back victories since returning to the cage in January. She has set her sights on capturing the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship and hopes to maintain an active fighting schedule in 2013 as she works to build a bright future for her family.
Carla Esparza is already one of MMA’s top female fighters. In January, the standout wrestler could become the first Invicta FC champion at 115 pounds in what will be her biggest and most important fight. Esparza is expected to face unbeaten Jewels titleholder Ayaka Hamasaki at Invicta FC 4.
After close to four years away, Revelina “Nana” Berto will make her return to MMA competition on November 17th. The member of the famed Berto fighting family is scheduled to face Strikeforce veteran Stephanie Webber at Real Fighting Championships 28: “Legacy” in Punta Gorda, Florida.
An illness has forced flyweight Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff out of her Cage Warriors title bout with Rosi “The Surgeon” Sexton. Gaff and Sexton were set to face off for the promotion’s inaugural 125-pound women’s title at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 49 on October 27th in Wales.
Featherweight contender Julia “The Jewel” Budd has experienced a lot in just six fights. From her debut for Strikeforce to her current run in Invicta Fighting Championships, the Muay Thai standout’s career has played out in front of hundreds of thousands of onlookers over the past two years.
In the past 18 months, the female flyweight division has developed into one of MMA’s premier women’s weight classes. One of its fastest rising stars, Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak, is currently riding a six-fight winning streak and scored an impressive Unanimous Decision victory at Invicta FC 3.
Seventeen-year-old prospect Shino VanHoose returns to the Pancrase ring on November 10th at Pancrase Progress Tour 12 in Tokyo, Japan. The grappling specialist is set to face Sadae “Manhoef” Suzumura in a featured atomweight matchup that was officially announced this past weekend.
Diana “Dynamite” Rael snapped the first two-fight losing streak of her career with an impressive submission victory on Saturday night at Made For War 1 in Castle Rock, Colorado. Rael handed fellow atomweight prospect Darla “Train Wreck” Harris her first pro loss via second-round rear-naked choke.