Michelle Waterson-Gomez is an American former mixed martial artist, former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion and longtime UFC strawweight contender. Known by the nickname “The Karate Hottie,” Waterson-Gomez built her reputation through her karate-based striking style, submission skills and fan-friendly fights across multiple promotions.
She competed in the UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce during a professional MMA career that lasted nearly two decades. In addition, she became one of the most recognizable female fighters of her era thanks to her media appearances, personality and consistent presence in women’s MMA.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez Fighter Snapshot
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michelle Eileen Waterson-Gomez |
| Nickname | The Karate Hottie |
| Born | January 6, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Height | 5’3” (160 cm) |
| Reach | 62 in (157 cm) |
| Division | Strawweight |
| MMA Record | 18-13-0 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Team | Jackson-Wink MMA |
| Fighting Style | Karate / Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting Out Of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
Michelle Waterson-Gomez’s Martial Arts Background
Waterson-Gomez started martial arts training at a young age after developing an interest in karate. Over time, she expanded her skill set by training in Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and wrestling.
As a result, she developed a versatile style built around movement, kicks, submissions and technical striking.
Before joining the UFC, Waterson-Gomez became one of the top atomweight fighters in the world. She captured the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship in 2013 by submitting Jessica Penne and later defended the title against Yasuko Tamada.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez’s UFC Career
Waterson-Gomez officially joined the UFC in 2015 and quickly became one of the promotion’s most recognizable strawweights.
During her UFC run, she earned notable victories against Paige VanZant, Angela Hill, Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Felice Herrig. Furthermore, her fight against Paige VanZant earned her a UFC Performance of the Night bonus.
Although she later faced difficult stretches against top contenders such as Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Rose Namajunas, Marina Rodriguez and Amanda Lemos, she remained a respected veteran within the division.
Eventually, after her loss to Gillian Robertson at UFC 303 in 2024, Waterson-Gomez announced her retirement from professional MMA competition.
Why Michelle Waterson-Gomez Became Popular
Waterson-Gomez stood out because of her fast-paced karate style, athletic movement and ability to blend striking with submissions.
However, her popularity extended beyond fighting alone. She also appeared in movies, television shows, reality programs and stunt work throughout her career. In fact, she performed stunt work in films such as Thor and The Lone Ranger.
Meanwhile, her professionalism and longevity helped her become one of the most recognizable female athletes in MMA during the rise of women’s combat sports.
What Michelle Waterson-Gomez Is Doing Outside MMA
Outside the cage, Waterson-Gomez has remained active through business ventures, fitness projects and media work.
According to her social media profiles, she is involved with martial arts instruction, restaurant businesses and real estate projects. She also continues to share training and lifestyle content with fans online.
Even after retirement, Michelle Waterson-Gomez remains an important figure in women’s MMA history because of her influence during the growth of the sport.
