‘The Karate Hottie’ Who Destroyed Paige VanZant Could Be the UFC’s Next Big Thing

The lovely and talented Michelle Waterson just put the UFC Women’s Division on notice.

Maxim Staff

Dec 19, 2016

I didn't place but I had a blast competing. gotta give these girls all the credit in the world for putting so much time and dedication into their passion. Now I can go and put these muscle to use in the cage! Thank you @fit_stevo @onnit @americanamma @cavemancoffeeco for all the help along the way!

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Jun 29, 2014 at 12:23pm PDT

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When Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson raised her hands in victory on Saturday night after defeating Paige VanZant with a first round rear naked choke, it marked the end of a long personal journey for the 30-year-old strawweight. Saturday’s fight was Waterson’s first after a year and half marred by injury.

After opening up her UFC career with a submission win over Angela Magana, Waterson pulled out of UFC 194 in December with a knee injury. A couple months later, she broke her hand. Finally healthy, Waterson returned to the cage Saturday and any worries about ring rust were quickly dispelled.

Waterson dominated the fight, taking VanZant to the mat quickly and then latching on to her back before putting her to sleep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxsh4HBvueQ

Waterson was ranked 11th in the strawweight division coming into the fight, but she’s sure to improve on that once the UFC updates things. Her next fight could come against fourth ranked strawweight Rose Namajunas, who’s already issued a challenge.

If Waterson wins that, a title shot may not be far off. And if she won that, it wouldn’t be her first championship. Before coming over to the UFC in 2015, Waterson was the Invicta champ at 105 pounds. She held on the promotion’s Atomweight belt for 609 days, defending it once by knocking out Yasuko Tamada.

Waterson’s fight skills only tell half of the story though. Her nickname, The Karate Hottie, captures the rest. Like VanZant, Waterson is a looker and the UFC knows it.

Don’t be surprised if she’s the next fighter to get a promotional push like the ones that makes sure PVZ is never off the front page of the many MMA websites for long. Not that you’ll be complaining.

Hey now!!! 😎Them quads tho😎 #ufcsacramento #teamhottie thanks @teamturningpoint for getting me on point!

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Dec 5, 2016 at 6:07am PST

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My friends at @barleans sent me some flowers!!! Thank you! They are beautiful

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Dec 16, 2016 at 1:40pm PST

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Sometimes a girl just wants to be a girl! Say cheese😆😆 #carselfie

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Mar 10, 2016 at 2:08pm PST

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Living the dream! Got my cool new #monster headphones! #ufc #strawweight #TUFFinale #july12 #ufcfightweek

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Jul 8, 2015 at 2:42pm PDT

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@karatehottiemma is all smiles at #ufconfox22 #workout 😁 #vanzantwaterson

A photo posted by MMAFighting.com (@mmafightingdotcom) on Dec 15, 2016 at 6:01pm PST

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Having the belt motivates me to always strive for improvement! If I'm not training, someone else is… to kick my butt. Thanks for the pic @allelbows

A photo posted by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Oct 1, 2014 at 11:48am PDT

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