Michelle Waterson: Year-and-a Half Layoff ‘Allowed Me to Know Who I Am as a Fighter’

While Michelle Waterson’s lengthy, injury plagued layoff following her Octagon debut was undoubtedly frustrating, she was able to see the benefit of the time on the sideline following her victory over Paige VanZant in the UFC on Fox 22 headliner on Saturday night.“The year and a half allowed me to become comfortable in my skin and know who I am as a fighter and know that I belong,” Waterson said at a post-fight press conference. “I don’t need to force anything.” That was evident at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., as “The Karate Hottie” dispatched VanZant in short order, winning via rear-naked choke 3:21 into the first frame. The Jackson-Wink MMA product kept her foe at bay in the early going with sidekicks to the body and right hooks before moving into the clinch. From there, Waterson executed a head-and-arm throw that allowed her …

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