Michelle Waterson will attempt to pick up the pieces and turn things around after a tough defeat to Amanda Lemos at UFC on ABC 3.
Waterson (18-10 MMA, 6-6 UFC) returned from a 14-month layoff on Saturday’s card at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., but did not get the result she wanted after she got caught by a guillotine choke from Lemos (12-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the second round of their strawweight co-headliner.
After nearly being forced into retirement by an injury during her hiatus from competition, Waterson said pre-fight she was simply grateful to compete. Being on borrowed time doesn’t make the latest result any easier, and Waterson expressed her disappointment in the aftermath of her bout with Lemos.
“I’m super bummed – gutted, actually, about the loss,” Waterson said in a statement on her Instagram page. “I had an amazing camp, such amazing people around me including my teammates, coaches, my friends, my family, my loved ones helping me prepare for this camp. Best shape I’ve ever been in my life. Mentally, I was prepared. I felt good in the fight. I felt strong, and it was that split-second opportunity that Amanda was able to capitalize on, and hat’s off to her for seeing that and taking it.
“I’m bummed, but this isn’t the end of my story. I’m not injured, I’m healthy, I have my family. So I’m just going to enjoy the ride and keep training. I’ll stay ready and hopefully be able to be back in there as soon as possible.”
With the defeat, Waterson fell to a grim 1-4 in her past five fights dating back to October 2019. Her losses came to top-tier competition in Lemos, Marina Rodriguez, Carla Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but it appears she takes no solace in losing to only the best.
“The Karate Hottie” will turn 37 in January, and it remains to be seen what adjustments she’ll make to ensure victory in her next trip to the octagon, whenever that may be.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 3.
