It was supposed to be a nationally televised showcase fight for Paige VanZant in her stomping grounds of Sacramento, but UFC on FOX 22 ended up being a coming out party for Michelle Waterson. The “Karate Hottie” put VanZant away with a rear-naked choke a little over midway through the first round to win her first fight in a year-and-a-half, and just her second UFC fight ever.
If the fight reminded us about anything, it’s that you should never sleep on a Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter, because they always show up offering more than you’re expecting.
Waterson’s longtime coach Mike Winkeljohn said he believed she would have a good showing in Sacramento, but he didn’t expect her to go through VanZant quite so easily.