Michelle Waterson, a.k.a. The Karate Hottie, embracing extra attention ahead of UFC debut
Michelle Waterson is in a bit of a quandary.
She is propped up tidily in a steel chair inside the MGM Grand, grinning from ear to ear as she promotes her UFC debut this Sunday at The Ultimate Fighter finale in Las Vegas.
Waterson is a striking woman, without question, and no matter how well she performs inside the Octagon, fans and critics will always point to her good looks as being a catalyst for any successes, past or future. Such is her dilemma.
It’s not like the former Invicta FC atomweight champ is doing herself any favors carrying the moniker “The Karate Hottie.”
That is, if we are going under the assumption she is interested in changing people’s minds.
Hint: She is not.
“It is what it is,” she says shaking her head. “It’s catchy. I’m not going to try to fight it. I know that in my background I was a Hooters waitress and I’ve posed in calendars. I’m not gonna try to bury that.
“Yes, I’ve taken part in bikini photo shoots, but MMA is my passion. Martial arts is my passion. And there’s no reason why those two can’t coincide.”
Despite her unassuming 115-pound frame, Waterson speaks with authoritative purpose. She’s bubbly and engaging, of course, but it is her poignant and matter-of-fact delivery that oozes charisma.
The Jackson-Winklejohn product landed on the MMA world’s radar in 2008 when she fought in Strikeforce and her looks have been a constant point of conversation throughout her career. Each and every time she steps in the cage, Waterson is completely aware of the skepticism.
Even some of her opponents have made the costly mistake of underestimating her.
“I’ve won a lot of my fights because people thought I was just a pretty face,” Waterson said. “They underestimated me. I mean, there a ton of other things I can do besides fighting. I do [mixed martial arts] because I’m passionate about it and I’m good at it. It’s not my fault that my mom is beautiful and I was blessed with good genes.”
Waterson will meet Ultimate Fighter alum Angela Magana on Sunday in her UFC debut. Unlike Waterson, Magana has an in-your-face personality that, at times, blurs the line between edgy and downright vulgar.
“I think that we all have our own characters that we like to portray,” Waterson said, “and if that’s the character that she wants to portray – whether it’s who she really is or not – to each their own.”
When asked for a prediction, Waterson deadpans, “I think I’m gonna shut her out.”
The showdown with Magana at the TUF finale comes 24 hours after Saturday’s summer blowout at UFC 189. The event will serve as the conclusion of the company’s International Fight Week festivities.
Waterson has seen plenty in her eight years as a professional fighter, but the media attention and accompanying pressure of a weekend like this is obviously something she can’t deny.
“It comes and goes,” she said.
As long as it goes well on Sunday, Waterson could be looking at a very bright future in the UFC.
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Ryan McKinnell is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports Cagewriter blog. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
