For some time, the title of UFC on ABC's next female flyweight champion has been in dispute. With many talented women in the octagon, it seems that the winner will be decided in the fights to come. How do you decide which women will make it to the final cut? Jessica Penne, Claudia Gadelha, Araya Sage Gomez, Michelle Waterson, and others? Continue reading to learn more. This article will provide information about these women and the potential opponents they may face.
Claudia Gadelha
Following back-to-back defeats, Claudia Gadelha and Michelle Waterson have now agreed to a main event matchup at UFC 233. The bout will take place in New York City on June 10. The main event will be Waterson's third in the UFC. Waterson is also the UFC's first Black female fighter. Hill and Waterson met in May at InvictaFC.
The ringside judges split their opinion on which of Hill or Waterson is the better striker. Hill currently has a two inch reach advantage and is the better striker. Waterson is less likely to fight in the pocket but is still more likely stand and trade. Hill is likely to win the fight if Hill wins. Waterson's track record is however impressive. Waterson has won nine of her ten fights by submission and averages 1.68 takesdowns per round.
Jessica Penne
Fans of mixed martial arts are eagerly anticipating a rematch between Michelle Waterson, former UFC women’s champion and Jessica Penne. While Penne called Waterson's win over her last month a "fluke," the Canadian veteran said she would be happy to fight her again. According to Waterson, the win was no fluke, and she wants to prove that it wasn't.
Penne lost via TKO to Jessica Andrade earlier this year in an MMA competition. In the following year, she fought Danielle Taylor in a featherweight tournament and lost via a unanimous decision. Invicta FC strawweight champion Emily Ducote will be Penne's next opponent.
Araya Sage Gomez
If you haven't heard, Araya Sage Gomez is Michelle Waterson's next fight. They met at a Hooters Albuquerque in New Mexico when Gomez and his parents drove from El Paso to attend a Cowboys game. Gomez and his family sat down under a large poster of Waterson dressed in a Hooters uniform. Gomez explained to his mother, "She was going be my future wife." They watched as she took her order, laughing. Gomez was never approached by her parents, as they were hesitant to speak to her.
Michelle Waterson
Michelle Waterson, a former ring girl that made waves in the MTV/MTV2 reality series "Bully Beatdown", has made some interesting career moves. Waterson was previously a contestant in "American Ninja Warrior" on MTV, but she failed to qualify. Waterson won a stunt competition in 2014 for Natalie Portman’s film "Thor". After a few weeks, Waterson decided to switch to MMA. Invicta FC Atomweight champion was her goal. Waterson submitted Tyra Peters with a back-naked choke submission as her first professional bout. In 2008, Waterson also competed in MTV's "Fight Mom" reality show and fought for the special "Champions vs. Stars mini-series."
Waterson, 36 years old, has a record 18-9-0. Waterson, 36, has a record of 18-9-0. Three of her wins were by knockout and nine were via submission. She has fought professionally in 27 MMA bouts. Waterson won her fight against Marina Rodriguez in controversial fashion in July 2015. She is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and trains at Jackson-Wink MMA.