Tag: Michelle Waterson

Amanda Ribas vs. Michelle Waterson in the works for UFC Fight Night on March 26

Amanda Ribas and Michelle Waterson have agreed to fight and will head into the matchup on different trajectories in their past four.

UFC women’s strawweight contenders [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] and [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] have agreed to fight.

Ribas (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) are expected to clash March 26 at UFC Fight Night from a location and venue yet to be determined. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking Monday to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion hasn’t made an official announcement. MMA Fighting was first to report the targeted booking.

While Ribas will look to build off a recent unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba in October, Waterson will aim to get back in the win column and bounce back from a unanimous decision defeat to Marina Rodriguez.

Ribas is 3-1 in her most recent four bouts, whereas Waterson is 1-3. Despite the recent rough patch, Waterson’s losses only have come by decision against top-ranked contenders in Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Carla Esparza and Rodriguez. Ribas also suffered a loss to Rodriguez, who finished her by TKO at UFC 257.

With the addition, the March 26 lineup includes:

  • Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Sara McMann vs. Karol Rosa
  • Amanda Ribas vs. Michelle Waterson

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Michelle Waterson issues statement on UFC on ESPN 24 loss: ‘I’ll be back’

Michelle Waterson is in positive spirits following her loss to Marina Rodriguez in the UFC on ESPN 24 main event.

[autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] is in positive spirits following her loss to Marina Rodriguez in the UFC on ESPN 24 main event.

Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) dropped a unanimous decision against Rodriguez (15-1-2 MMA, 4-1-2 UFC) in Saturday’s women’s flyweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

With the defeat, “The Karate Hottie” fell to 1-3 in her past four fights. Her previous losses came to former champions Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Carla Esparza, but Rodriguez has yet to achieve that level of career success.

What does that say about Waterson’s future? It remains to be seen. However, it’s clear she’s not giving up on herself. In her first post-fight statement, Waterson made it clear she valued the experience of her loss and is keen to come back stronger (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/COqWJXnDdYr

Thank you for the dance @marinarodriguezmma one hell of a fight. Thank you @ufc for giving me the opportunity to perform under the lights! Thank you to all my friends, family, and fans for always having my back!! Every time I step into the octagon, I step out a better person. I’ll be back! Love you all

At 35, Waterson’s mission to become UFC champ continues to get more roadblocks added. The fight with Rodriguez was a big task, especially coming on roughly one week’s notice and fighting up a weight class from strawweight, where she’s already undersized.

Waterson gave it her all against Rodriguez, though. After getting outstruck on the feet for three rounds, she got a big takedown in the forth that led to some solid offense. She ultimately couldn’t capitalize, though, and when the five rounds expired was on the losing end.

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UFC on ESPN 24 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total nears $1 million

UFC on ESPN 24 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $143,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 24 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 24 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Marcos Rogerio de Lima[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Gregor Gillespie[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mike Trizano[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Ludovit Klein[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jun Yong Park[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Tafon Nchukwi[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlston Harris[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Christian Aguilera[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $976,500
Program-to-date total: $976,500

Twitter reacts to Marina Rodriguez’s win over Michelle Waterson at UFC on ESPN 24

See the top Twitter reactions to Marina Rodriguez’s win over Michelle Waterson in the UFC on ESPN 24 main event.

[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] took advantage of her first UFC main event slot on Saturday when she beat [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 24.

Rodriguez (15-1-2 MMA, 4-1-2 UFC) got the job done in a short notice women’s flyweight headliner when she scored a unanimous decision victory over Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in the headlining act at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Rodriguez’s victory over Waterson at UFC on ESPN 24.

UFC on ESPN 24 results: Marina Rodriguez’s boxing shines in decision win over Michelle Waterson

Marina Rodriguez beats Michelle Waterson in unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 24.

[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] keeps climbing up the UFC ladder.

The UFC women’s strawweight contender defeated former Invicta FC campion [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] on Saturday. Rodriguez (14-1-2 MMA, 4-1-2 UFC) outpointed Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in a unanimous decision that read 48-47 and a pair of 49-46 on the three judges’ scorecards.

The women’s flyweight bout was the UFC on ESPN 24 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

It was a tough and gritty fight that had Rodriguez’s power and boxing shine through.

The first two rounds of the fight were fairly even and competitive. Waterson looked to stay on the outside while Rodriguez marched forward. The former Invicta FC did a good job using her kicks to the body and face. Rodriguez appeared to have a similar amount of volume competed to Waterson, but her power was significantly higher, causing the most damage.

In the third round, Rodriguez really took it to Waterson. The Brazilian marched forward and landed heavy combinations all through the round. Waterson attempted to keep Rodriguez at bay with kicks and backward movement, but Rodriguez did a good job at cutting the octagon and connecting hard. Waterson was battered and bloodied at the end of the third.

The tide of the fight turned heavily in the fourth. Rodriguez came out to bully Waterson, but “The Karate Hottie” changed things up and got a takedown early on maintained top position all the way through, staying busy with ground-and-pound and threatening to advance position. Rodriguez was simply unable to get back to her feet, but did a good job at avoiding significant damage.

The fifth and final round showcased the skills of both fighters. Waterson had great kicks to the body and head. However, Rodriguez walked down Waterson and connected well with hard, looping punches. Like the first couple of round, Waterson was live and competitive, but Rodriguez’s power seemed to overshadow her efforts.

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Rodriguez now finds herself on a two-fight winning streak having stopped Amanda Ribas in her previous outing back in January at UFC 257. Her only career defeat is to former UFC champion Carla Esparza.

Waterson fell to 1-3 in her past four trips to the cage. Her only win in this recent stretch is a split decision over fellow veteran Angela Hill in September.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 24 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 24 weigh-in faceoffs video highlights, photo gallery

Check out the only fighter faceoffs ahead of UFC on ESPN 24 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – UFC on ESPN 24 weigh-ins took place Friday, and MMA Junkie was on the scene for the proceedings.

Among those weighing in were [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (13-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC) and [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who meet in the women’s flyweight main event, and [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-15-1 MMA, 29-15-1 UFC) and [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag] (18-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC), who fight in the welterweight co-feature. All four of those fighters made weight without issue.

Afterward, everyone from the entire 10-fight card squared up for faceoffs, which you can watch in the video above. You can also check out our gallery below.

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UFC on ESPN 24 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

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UFC on ESPN 24 video: Michelle Waterson, Marina Rodriguez on weight for short-notice main event

Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson are official for the UFC on ESPN 24 main event.

LAS VEGAS – Weight was not an issue for [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] or [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] despite the short notice of their UFC on ESPN 24 main event.

After being booked to headline on one weeks’ notice, Rodriguez (125.5 pounds) and Waterson (125) both successfully hit the women’s flyweight mark at Friday’s UFC on ESPN 24 weigh-ins.

Rodriguez (14-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC) and Waterson (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) typically compete in the strawweight division, but given the short timeframe for their booking, they signed to fight 10 pounds above their typical weight class.

Watch the video of Rodriguez and Waterson making weight above.

UFC on ESPN 24 takes Saturday place at the UFC Apex. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

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UFC on ESPN 24 pre-event facts: Donald Cerrone gets another shot at history

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 24, which features the return of all-time UFC wins leader Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

The second event in a busy May schedule for the UFC goes down Saturday with UFC on ESPN 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

The main event features a short-notice matchup between strawweight contenders [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (14-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC) and [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who have agreed to fight at flyweight due to the lack of preparation time.

There are also a number of other notables set to compete. For more on the numbers, check below for 45 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 23.

Dana White: Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson headlines Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24

Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson will reportedly clash in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 main event in Las Vegas.

The UFC is hoping to have a matchup of ranked females headline Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 24 card.

After the promotion went into fight week scrambling after the original main event of Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw fell apart, a new fight between [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] and [autotag]Michelle Waterson[/autotag] has reportedly now come together.

Both Rodriguez (14-1-2 MMA, 3-1-2 UFC) and Waterson (18-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) agreed to the matchup several days ago, people with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie, but UFC president Dana White made the announcement of its main event status Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole on Tuesday.

People with knowledge of the situation tell MMA Junkie, however, that there are still some logistical hurdles on Rodriguez’s end before the fight is 100 percent official. The promotion is working toward a resolution to clear the path for the fight.

Although both females typically compete at strawweight, the five-round matchup is expected to take place in the women’s flyweight division.

UFC on ESPN 24 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

Waterson, 35, is coming off a main event win over Angela Hill at UFC Fight Night 177 in September. The result snapped a two-fight losing skid for “The Karate Hottie.”

Rodriguez, 34, meanwhile, will look to capitalize off the biggest win of her career. She halted the hype of highly touted Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 in January, scoring a stunning second-round TKO of her fellow Brazilian. Now Rodriguez gets her first main event spot.

The UFC on ESPN 24 lineup now includes:

  • Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson
  • Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Morono
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Ryan Benoit
  • Maurice Greene vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
  • Christian Aguilera vs. Carlston Harris
  • Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jun Yong Park
  • Philipe Lins vs. Ben Rothwell
  • Angela Hill vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Neil Magny vs. Geoff Neal
  • Ludovit Klein vs. Mike Trizano
  • Kyle Daukaus vs. Phil Hawes
  • Diego Ferreira vs. Gregor Gillespie

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Callout Collection: Who UFC 259 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Islam Makhachev and Aleksandar Rakic were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC 259 in Las Vegas.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So, after Saturday’s UFC 259 event in Las Vegas, who took advantage of their time on the mic?

See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.