The UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor pay-per-view main card opened with a strawweight battle between top-ten contenders Felice Herrig and Michelle Waterson. In the end, it was Waterson who prevailed with a well-rounded performance, as she landed the better strikes throughout the fight, even when she was put on her back by Herrig in the final round. Waterson also fared well and neutralized Herrig’s attempts to take her down and initiate clinches. It’s Waterson’s second straight win, and Herrig’s second straight loss.
Waterson sought to control the distance early with side kicks and high kicks. Neither woman landed too many telling blows in the first couple of minutes, but Herrig was able to tag Waterson with a left hook and drive her to the fence for a clinch.