Michelle 'Karate Hottie' Waterson

[GeneChing]

Also enjoyed Michelle "Karate Hottie" Waterson's fight. I met Michelle back at a Berkeley CMAT (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36106) a few years ago, before she went on Fight Girls (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42423). She was competing in wushu, believe it or not, and she was really good. Almost had her come in for a shoot, but she was in CO then. Now that she's gotten so famous, she's harder to reach. Michelle, if you're out there and remember, call me. ;)

This so needs a video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4579338824287731247).

[sanjuro_ronin]

Also enjoyed Michelle "Karate Hottie" Waterson's fight. I met Michelle back at a Berkeley CMAT (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36106) a few years ago, before she went on Fight Girls (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42423). She was competing in wushu, believe it or not, and she was really good. Almost had her come in for a shoot, but she was in CO then. Now that she's gotten so famous, she's harder to reach. Michelle, if you're out there and remember, call me. ;)

This so needs a video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4579338824287731247).

She can pound my makiwara anytime !

[GeneChing]

More on Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?46722-Women-in-MMA&p=886763#post886763), the got qi girl (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?16852-Talk-to-Got-Qi-Girls) that got away. :o



Michelle 'The Karate Hottie' Waterson signs with the UFC
Damon Martin
FOX Sports
APR 28, 2015 12:35a ET

http://a1.fssta.com/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/UFC/images/2015/04/27/042715-UFC-Michelle-Waterson-pi-ssm.vadapt.955.high.0.jpg
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 07: Mixed martial artist Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson arrives at the sixth annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards at The Palazzo Las Vegas on February 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic)

A 'Karate Hottie' will soon be fighting in the UFC Octagon.

Former Invicta Fighting Championships atomweight champion Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson has signed a deal with the UFC to compete in the women's 115-pound division.

The news of her signing was reported on UFC Tonight on Monday.

Waterson comes to the UFC with a 12-4 record overall with wins in six of her last seven fights.

The 29-year-old veteran is a long-time member of the Jackson-Winkeljohn fight camp, where she works with several notable fighters, including former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit, bantamweight Holly Holm and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Waterson has an impressive record against a long list of fighters, including a 2013 submission victory over No. 3-ranked UFC strawweight Jessica Penne.

Waterson is expected to debut in the UFC this summer.

Man, if she succeeds, I'll have to split this off into her own individual threads.

[GeneChing]

So I stumbled on this:

Hottest Olympic Hopefuls: Michelle Waterson (http://www.everyjoe.com/2016/07/14/sports/hottest-olympic-athletes-michelle-waterson/)
Posted in Sports
Thu, Jul 14 - 1:00 am EDT | 1 month ago by Wil Reagan

Combine an exotic beauty with a killer body and you have Michelle Waterson, a new force to be reckoned with in the MMA scene. Waterson, who is of Thai descent, was born and raised in Colorado. Throughout her childhood, she trained in a variety of fighting styles, including karate, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling. She made her public debut as a participant in Fight Girls, a reality show centered on female fighters, and later appeared in MTV’s Bully Beatdown. Although she began her MMA career in her hometown of Aurora in 2007, Waterson had begun fighting matches across the country by 2012. An exhilarating series of victories at Invicta FC cemented her as one to keep an eye on.

In 2015, Waterson was officially signed to UFC and instantly became one of the hottest women in the whole organization. Competing in the Women’s Strawweight division, Waterson won her debut match against Angela Magana in July 2015 and would have fought Tecia Torres at UFC 194 if it weren’t for a knee injury. With her eyes set on Rio, the so-called Karate hottie will undoubtedly continue to make a name for herself.


karatehottiemma (https://www.instagram.com/p/BCjDw8jvcIe/?taken-by=karatehottiemma) Verified 5 months ago

Sadly, she has her instagram set so you can't copy images, so you'll just have to go peek.

I was all "Michelle competed in the Olympics? In what?" Turns out in nothing. If you go search the Olympic site (https://www.olympic.org/search?q=Michelle+Waterson&filter=athletes), she doesn't appear.

But she did make the Daily Mail under the same topic:

The glamorous Team USA Olympians who are racking up thousands of Instagram followers as well as gold medals (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3705693/The-glamorous-Team-USA-Olympians-racking-thousands-Instagram-followers-good-medals.html)

Olympic Games start in Rio de Janiero, Brazil on August 5 and Team USA are in shape and raring to go
Members of the US Olympic team have been showing off their honed bodies and toned physiques on Instagram
Athletes such as swimmer Ryan Lochte and skier Julia Mancuso have racked up thousands of likes for their sexy snaps on the social media site
Preparations for the Games have been overshadowed by Zika with several athletes voicing their concern
Big names like cyclist Tejay van Garderen have already pulled out due to worries about the effects of the virus

By HANNAH PARRY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 13:56 EST, 24 July 2016 | UPDATED: 14:42 EST, 26 July 2016


...Mixed martial arts Oympian Michelle Waterson posted a picture of herself in tiny shorts and a sports bra while Alana Blanchard, an Olympic surfer's, picture of herself jumping off a yacht into ocean got more than 66,000 likes on the site.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/07/24/18/368DFEEA00000578-3705693-Michelle_E_Waterson_Mixed_Martial_Arts_USA-m-131_1469382458104.jpg
Mixed martial arts Oympian Michelle Waterson posted a picture of herself in tiny shorts and a sports bra


Oh wait. That says Oympian. That must be something else. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2i0AA0qZG4

:p

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxsh4HBvueQ

Well played Michelle! That was beautiful on so many levels.

[Jimbo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxsh4HBvueQ

Well played Michelle! That was beautiful on so many levels.

Agreed. I watched on Saturday. An excellence performance.

Admittedly, I was mostly expecting Van Zant to win, based on all the hype surrounding her and her previous win. But Waterson's performance was perfect.

[GeneChing]

FIGHT MOM (https://www.uninterrupted.com/show/77WDPIH2wwqwUakukIGUAw/fight-mom)
Balancing life as a mother, a wife, and a professional MMA fighter competing in the UFC is no easy feat — but when you’re Michelle Waterson, you make it work.
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY
This doc on Michelle is free access right now. It's also 2 hours 40 minutes. :eek:

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Sy5eWaMmo

[GeneChing]

To see the Karate Hottie (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69680-Michelle-Karate-Hottie-Waterson) as a Sword Hottie (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?41007-Sword-hotties), follow the link for the embedded ESPN video. I may just have to pick up this issue for research purposes.


Waterson: 'My warrior instinct was birthed with my child' (http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/page/espnwbodywaterson/mma-fighter-michelle-waterson-fighting-meditating-raising-daughter-body-2017)
Jul 5, 2017
Morty Ain

This is an online exclusive story from ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue 2017, on newsstands on July 7. Subscribe today!

Michelle Waterson has been an MMA fighter for more than a decade, but she says her life -- and her career -- has never changed more drastically than when she gave birth to her daughter six years ago. For ESPN's annual Body Issue, the 31-year-old Waterson (aka the Karate Hottie) opened up to reporter Morty Ain about being an MMA mom, stretch marks and what she wants fighting to teach her daughter.

MMA is not for someone who wants to keep cute. Your body changes. You lose body fat, and that means you lose breast tissue. Your shoulders get broad, and you get scraped from the gloves. I do it because I love to do it. I could definitely be doing something else if I just wanted to look hot.

I like my Karate Hottie nickname. I think it's catchy. I don't mind saying that I'm hot. If you want to underestimate your opponent [because of her nickname], for sure, go ahead.

I was 10 when I started martial arts. It was a heavy influence on me going into adulthood. It's really given me a voice. It gave me the confidence I needed to go into the world without shying away. As a kid, I was outgoing, but I also never wanted to make anybody mad. I never spoke out. But martial arts allowed me to stand up for myself when I felt like something wasn't right or when I felt like I was being taken advantage of.

I absolutely fell in love with Muay Thai in college. We took a trip to Thailand to see family, and that's when I started exploring it. When I came back, I was going to college and working at Hooters full time. I got the opportunity to be a ring girl, and it was something fun to do and make some extra cash. I remember watching these MMA fights and saying, "Hey, I think I'd rather be inside the Octagon than out." One of the fighters -- he's a really big name now in UFC, Donald Cerrone -- overheard me and came to my work because they needed another girl for a fight. He left a note for me that said, "If you're serious about training, get your butt in the gym." I haven't looked back since.

http://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2017%2F0628%2Fr225225_1600x1919cc .jpg&w=570
Mark Seliger for ESPN

It was a shock when I first found out I was pregnant. A million thoughts were going through my head all at once. "What about my fight career?" Being pregnant for me was probably one of the hardest parts of my career, just because I had so many unknowns.

There is nothing that compares to the pain of childbirth. On a scale of 1-10, any pain I've taken in the ring would rank a 6, and childbirth is a 10. Now I know that if I can get through 12 hours of labor, then I can get through a 25-minute fight.

I have a warrior instinct that was birthed with my child. I was like, "OK, you're fighting for a reason now." I was hungrier and more motivated because I had somebody to take care of. I would start visualizing the fight as me being Mama Bear and someone was trying to take my cub.

Being a mother, you have to be completely selfless, and being a fighter you have to be selfish. So when I'm training, I'm 100 percent focused on training, and when I'm at home and being a mom, I have to be 100 percent focused on being a mom, switching from that fierce primal warrior instinct to being maternal and loving and caring and understanding and open to her.

For a long time, I was embarrassed about my stretch marks. Now I embrace them, because for me it was like this nest that I created to grow this little human in my body, and I'm proud of that. They are like my battle wounds.

I've finally come to a place in my heart and my soul that has embraced my body and the things that it does for me -- and the way that it makes me feel. I'm really at peace with who I am. That peace came after I had my daughter. I really gained an appreciation for the work that I put in to get my body where it needed to be.

Fighting for me has nothing to do with bludgeoning my opponent or making them bleed. To me, fighting is finding myself, battling with myself and becoming more whole with myself.

I was raised Buddhist. The meditation part of Buddhism teaches you how to be in the present moment and block everything else out. In fighting, it's important to do that, because the minute you start thinking about what happened two seconds ago, or what might happen a minute from now, that's when you pull yourself out of the moment. That's when it's dangerous, that's when you can get hurt and that's when you lose.

There is so much I can teach my daughter just by her watching me fight. She's come to every single one of my fights, and I'm hoping she's learning just by seeing what I do day in and day out, dealing with having a great victory and staying humble, and dealing with defeat and how to handle losses. All of these things are life lessons that need to be taught to a child, and what better way to do that than through your own experience?

I don't want her to see me hurt, but at the same time, when I lost my belt [in 2014], I think it was important for her to see me at that point. "I've hit rock bottom and everything is still OK. Tomorrow I get up and work my way back up the mountain." It's important for her to see that.

[GeneChing]

WWE SUPERSTAR MIKE “THE MIZ” MIZANIN HOSTS THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF MTV’S “THE CHALLENGE” SPECIAL “CHAMPS VS. STARS” PREMIERING NOVEMBER 21 (http://www.mtvpress.com/press-releases/2017/10/11/wwe-superstar-mike-the-miz-mizanin-hosts-the-second-installment-of-mtvs-the-challenge-special-champs-vs-stars-premiering-november-21)

Ten Of The Biggest Stars From Sports And Entertainment Try To Top Challenge Champs During A Special Eight-Week Series

HOLLYWOOD, CA – (October 11, 2017) – MTV’s most iconic franchise “The Challenge” is back again with the debut of an eight-week special event “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.” Hosted by WWE superstar and former challenge competitor, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, “Champs vs. Stars” will feature ten of the fiercest champions from past “Challenge” seasons. The alumni go head-to-head against ten celebrity athletes and entertainers in challenge-style competitions to determine who will reign supreme. Winners will compete for a chance to take a share of the $150,000 cash prize to donate to their beloved charities. “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars” premieres November 21st at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“Building on the success of ‘Champs vs. Pros’ we expanded the format for the second season,” said Tiffany Williams, SVP, Original Programming for MTV. “As a WWE Superstar and former Challenge competitor, Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin encompasses both athlete and star, making him the obvious choice for host as he has evolved into one of the most notable names and decorated athletes across the globe.”

“After 12 years, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back on The Challenge, this time as the host,” said Mike “The Miz” Mizanin. “I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for this iconic show, I never would’ve had the confidence to fulfill my dream of becoming a WWE Superstar. ‘The Challenge’ has evolved since my days of playing and now it’s pitting the biggest celebrity athletes against the best ‘The Challenge’ has to offer. It’s must-see television at its finest!”

Each episode of the eight-week special series will pit the two teams against each other in grueling challenges. The winning team from each challenge will nominate their most valuable player (MVP) who will receive money for their charity, be safe from elimination, and choose their team’s least valuable player (LVP) to go into elimination. The losing team will nominate their own LVP to go into elimination, and the two will compete to keep their spot in the game and ultimately, their share of $150,000 to donate to their beloved charities.

Meet the Host and Stars of “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars:”

HOST:

Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Instagram: mikethemiz
Twitter: @mikethemiz

Before evolving into “The Most Must-See Superstar in WWE History,” Mike Mizanin broke out on MTV’s “The Real World: Back to New York,” introducing his alter ego, “The Miz.” An MTV stalwart for several years, starring on several seasons of “The Challenge,” Mizanin was offered a WWE developmental contract after placing second on WWE’s “Million Dollar Tough Enough” in 2004. Over the next decade, “The Miz” climbed through the ranks to become one of the most recognizable faces in WWE. Mizanin is a former WWE Champion, two-time United States Champion, six-time Tag Team Champion and a seven-time Intercontinental Champion. He is the 25th Triple Crown Champion in WWE History, only the 14th Superstar to complete the Grand Slam, and main evented WWE WrestleMania 27 opposite John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. During his tenure with WWE, Mizanin has starred in the third, fourth and fifth installments of “The Marine” film franchise, where he plays the grizzled veteran Jake Carter. He has also starred in the comedy “Santa’s Little Helper” as well as the ABC Family original movie “Christmas Bounty.”

THE STARS:

Ariane Andrew
Charity competing for: Black Girls Rock
Instagram: arianeandrew
Twitter: @ArianeAndrew

Triple threat performer Ariane Andrew is a dancer, actress and former professional wrestler. The former “Total Divas” star isn’t afraid to tell it like it is or throw down in the ring to prove a point. Ready to break new barriers, Andrew is bringing her athletic skills and conniving ways from the ring to “The Challenge.” Underestimated because of her size and swag, Andrew is not intimidated by any of the Champs and will do whatever it takes to claim the title and win money for her charity.

Josh Murray
Charity competing for: Extra Special People
Instagram: joshmurray11
Twitter: @JoshAllanMurray

Best known for appearing as a contestant on “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise,” Josh Murray is no stranger to competition. Despite a history of striking out with love, Murray found success as a professional baseball player in his younger years and his love of sports and competition has never left him.Tall, good-looking, and athletic, Murray is certain to have the ladies swooning and the competition shaking in their sneakers.

Justina Valentine
Charity competing for: Young Women’s Leadership Network
Instagram: justinavalentine
Twitter: @JustinaMusic

From her signature bright locks to her larger than life personality, “Wild ‘N Out” star Justina Valentine always manages to shine in a crowded room. This singer, rapper, and songwriter is walking into the competition with one alliance already in the bag: her fellow “Wild ‘N Out” cast member and friend, Matt Rife. With her sunny disposition, Valentine is bound to charm over a Champ or two — but does she have the physical talents to compete at the level of our resident Champs?

Kim Glass
Charity competing for: Covenant House
Instagram: itskimglass
Twitter: @itskimglass

At first glance, Kim Glass is quite the force to be reckoned with. At 6 feet 3 inches, Glass led her Olympic Volleyball team to a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Games, but she’s not all brawn. Kim was one of only three athletes featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition. A fierce competitor, Glass is a team player and expects only the best out of herself and her teammates. She’ll be at the helm to lead the Stars as they come face-to-face with the Champs.

Matt Rife
Charity competing for: World Wildlife Foundation
Instagram: mattrife
Twitter: @ItsMattRife

With his latest iconic role as one of the new hosts on MTV’s “TRL,” Matt Rife, is destined to break out even bigger. The 22-year-old stand-up comedian already made history as the youngest person ever to be cast on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out,” where he harnessed his hilarious stand up skills. On ‘The Challenge’ he wants to show the Champs that he’s willing to go head-to-head in any physical challenge and is more than just a killer smile with perfect abs. Rife is ready to be the last one laughing when he sends those Champs home.

Michelle Waterson
Charity competing for: MVP Vets and Players
Instagram: karatehottiemma
Twitter: @karatehottiemma

Don’t let her short stature and bubbly personality fool you, Michelle Waterson packs a punch. A life-long martial artist, Waterson lit up the MMA world with dazzling submission skills and lightning-quick strikes. Before joining the ultra-competitive UFC, Waterson was the #1 ranked fighter in the world and was crowned champion multiple times. Although she’s a newcomer to the franchise, Michelle is ready to earn a new title to her list as #1 on “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars.”
continued next post

[GeneChing]

Riff Raff
Charity competing for: Nevada SPCA
Instagram: jodyhighroller
Twitter: @jodyhighroller

The term “Riff Raff” is usually reserved for a person who is up to no good or someone you wouldn’t want to be associated with, and at first glance, it would be easy to write off this rapper as just that. But after looking past his braids, tattoos, and eccentric fashion choices, there’s more to Riff Raff than first meets the eye. From his appearance on “From G’s To Gents,” to his transformation into a viral internet sensation, Riff Raff, also known as “Jody Highroller,” is a master of reinvention and surprise. When the power of persuasion and manipulation can be your biggest asset in this game, Riff Raff is not one to be underestimated.

Romeo Miller
Charity competing for: Team Hope NOLA
Instagram: romeomiller
Twitter: @RomeoMiller

The son of hip hop royalty, Romeo Miller, formerly known as Lil’ Romeo, has a lucrative music and acting career all his own. His desire for competition isn’t stifled by the fact that he already has all the finer things that life has to offer. Miller is always up for a challenge and competing against these Champs will be no different. With celebrity charm running through his veins, Miller is certain to score a few points with the ladies while simultaneously threatening the competition.

Shawn Johnson
Charity competing for: Hope Sports
Instagram: shawnjohnson
Twitter: @ShawnJohnson

They say good things come in small packages and legendary gymnast Shawn Johnson is no exception to the rule. Amongst her many titles, Johnson has four Olympic medals, including a gold in the 2008 Games. Even though she retired from gymnastics, Johnson still has the heart and drive of a competitor. At only 4 feet 11 inches, Johnson is all strength and power and despite her small size, the Champs shouldn’t underestimate her will to win.

Terrell Owens
Charity competing for: Ky Cares Foundation
Instagram: terrellowens
Twitter: @terrellowens

Former NFL wide receiver, Terrell Owens, also known as T.O., is a powerhouse athlete with a colorful, and sometimes controversial, personality guaranteed to put the Champs on edge. Although he retired from football, T.O. is still extremely competitive and will stop at nothing to win. He’s used to being the alpha male on the team, and with his dominating presence, T.O. is ready to tackle “The Challenge: Champs vs Stars” like a pro.

“Champs vs. Stars” was created for MTV by Bunim/Murray Productions. Gil Goldschein, Julie Pizzi, Scott Freeman and Trish Gold serve as Executive Producers, and Matt Ruecker and Jack Reifert serve as Co-Executive Producers.

About MTV:
MTV is a global youth culture brand inspired by music. For more information, check out mtvpress.com. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).

About Bunim/Murray Productions
Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) is the leading producer of innovative entertainment content. The Emmy Award-winning company is widely credited with creating the reality television genre with its hit series The Real World (32 seasons on MTV). BMP continued to innovate with the first reality game show, Road Rules (MTV), in 1995; the first reality sitcom, The Simple Life (E!), in 2003; and the first reality soap opera, Starting Over, in 2003. BMP’s current programming includes Keeping up with the Kardashians, Life of Kylie, Total Divas and Total Bellas (E!), The Real World, The Challenge and The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros (MTV), Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars (Lifetime), Valerie’s Home Cooking (Food Network), Born This Way (A&E), Earth Live (National Geographic), Bill Nye Saves the World (Netflix), The Selection: Special Operations Experiment (History), The Healer (TLC), Chachi’s World (go90), GloBugz (YouTube) and Ball in the Family (Facebook Watch). BMP has also produced They Call Us Monsters (PBS), Valentine Road (HBO), Pedro (MTV) and the Emmy Award-winning Autism: The Musical (HBO) for BMP Films. Based in Glendale, CA, the company was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, who were inducted into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame in 2012. The company joined Banijay Group in 2010.

Anyone ever watch this show?

[GeneChing]

Michelle Waterson to fight Tecia Torres on UFC 218 undercard (http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/21054268/michelle-waterson-fight-tecia-torres-ufc-218-undercard)
12:42 PM PT
Katie Barnes
espnW.com

Michelle Waterson (14-5) will face Tecia Torres (9-1) on Dec. 2 in a high-profile women's strawweight bout at UFC 218 in Detroit, it was announced Tuesday.

The fight will be added to a card that already features featherweight champion Max Holloway defending his title against Frankie Edgar in the co-main event. Heavyweights Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou will also headline the card, which also includes two lightweight bouts and a flyweight bout.

Waterson is looking to get back into the Octagon following an April loss to Rose Namajunas, who will fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the strawweight title at UFC 217 on Nov. 4 in New York.

Torres has won two straight fights, defeating Bec Rawlings in February and Juliana Lima in July. Her only loss in UFC came against Namajunas in April 2016, though Torres had previously defeated Namajunas in 2013.

"Tecia has been calling me out since her last fight," Waterson said in a phone interview. "I'm just trying to give her what she wants. It'll be a great fight."

Best of luck to both fighters!

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dCULI-EfVY

[GeneChing]

I'm sure y'all heard about the UFC 229 post fight braw (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71000-Ufc-229-sat-Oct-6-2018-khabib-vs-mcgregor)l. I'm disappointed that it overshadowed Michelle Waterson's victory (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69680-Michelle-Karate-Hottie-Waterson).


Postfight brawl ensues after Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor (http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/24916111/khabib-nurmagomedov-defeats-conor-mcgregor-submission-ufc-229-main-event)
play
Oct 7, 2018
Brett Okamoto
ESPN Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS -- A brilliantly contested lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor was marred by an ugly postfight incident that resulted in the arrests of three members of Nurmagomedov's team Saturday night at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena, according to UFC president Dana White.

Nurmagomedov (27-0) defended his 155-pound championship at UFC 229 by submitting McGregor (21-4) at 3:03 of the fourth round via rear-naked choke. Immediately after the bout, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon and got involved in a fight with Dillon Danis, a Bellator welterweight who also is McGregor's jiu-jitsu coach.

UFC president Dana White said members of Khabib Nurmagomedov's team were "in big trouble" after a brawl broke out following his victory over Conor McGregor on Saturday night.

Ferguson back in title picture after TKO win against Pettis
Before UFC 229's main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, a multitude of undercard fights had major implications.

Moments later, two men jumped into the Octagon and began throwing punches at McGregor, who was still recovering from the contest.

White said he had spoken afterward with McGregor, who told White that he would not press charges. White said authorities had released the three members of Nurmagomedov's team late Saturday night.

Still, White told ESPN that it was "a very bad night" for the UFC and that Nurmagomedov could earn a suspension.

"Khabib diving over [the cage] was ridiculous," White said. "You know, you just won a great fight, you fought brilliantly, you're about to get the belt on and people are going to respect the fact that you fought well and you won the fight. And instead, you dive over the cage and start this huge melee with Conor's corner.

"I actually didn't allow [Nurmagomedov] to get the belt put on because I knew what was going to happen when we did it was people were going to throw whatever they had into the Octagon, so let's just get him out of here. ... Sure enough, as soon as they started going through the tunnel, exactly what I knew was gonna happen. I was like, 'We'll be lucky enough just to get him out of here without the belt.'"

The events made a mockery of what was otherwise a hard-fought, back-and-forth championship fight at the highest level.

Nurmagomedov, of Dagestan, tried to take McGregor down in the opening minute of the fight. He managed to get McGregor to a seated position on the floor, but McGregor did well stalling him there and landed several elbows to the side of Nurmagomedov's head as they jostled for position.

In a shocking moment, Nurmagomedov briefly dropped McGregor with a right hand early in the second round. As McGregor scrambled to get back to his feet, Nurmagomedov launched into a flying knee attempt and then used the opportunity to take McGregor down. Nurmagomedov spent the majority of the round in top position, working ground and pound and looking for a kimura.

McGregor, of Dublin, Ireland, stuffed Nurmagomedov's early attempts to get it to the ground in the third and went to work with his offense. McGregor scored good knees and punches to the body after a stuffed attempt, and he popped Nurmagomedov's head back with an uppercut.

Entering the fourth round, McGregor was bleeding from a small cut near his left eye. He looked tired, and Nurmagomedov executed an outside trip to get him to the floor. From there, it was a familiar sight, as Nurmagomedov did what he has done so often: passed guard, moved into side mount and eventually got the choke.

The fight was the culmination of a rivalry that has been brewing for several years. It hit a boiling point in April, when McGregor attacked a bus Nurmagomedov was riding in at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Both men said they would not respect each other after the fight, regardless of the outcome.

It was McGregor's first bout since he won the lightweight championship in November 2016. He fought Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in August 2017, and the UFC stripped him of his belt for inactivity in April.

McGregor tweeted he was looking forward to a rematch:


Conor McGregor
✔
@TheNotoriousMMA
Good knock. Looking forward to the rematch.

2:20 AM - Oct 7, 2018
468K
139K people are talking about this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKav1IbAU1U

[GeneChing]

Feb 20, 2019, 11:00am
MMA Fighter Michelle Waterson Talks Combat Sports, Holly Holm And Ronda Rousey (https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyfrye/2019/02/20/mma-fighter-michelle-waterson-talks-combat-sports-holly-holm-and-ronda-rousey/#355f55266be8)
Andy Frye
Contributor
SportsMoney
I do Q&A's with pro athletes and cover sports, sports business

https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/960x0/https%3A%2F%2Fspecials-images.forbesimg.com%2Fdam%2Fimageserve%2F10462771 98%2F960x0.jpg%3Ffit%3Dscale
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 05: Michelle Waterson poses on the scale during the UFC 229 weigh-in inside T-Mobile Arena on October 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)GETTY

Michelle Waterson, also known in fighting circles as "The Karate Hottie" has been doing martial arts since she was 10 years old. Currently Waterson is ranked No. 8 among women in the strawweight category. The 33-year old fighter holds a 16-6 record overall in mixed martial arts competitions and is known for her versatility in the ring, boasting a style that mixes jiu-jitsu, karate, and traditional boxing styles into her repertoire.

In fall 2017, Waterson joined Kobe Bryant and a handful of other professional combat athletes including UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, and UFC strawweight Cynthia Calvillo, as a part of BodyArmor's athlete ambassadors team. And, when Waterson is not in the ring, she's busy as a mother to a young daughter. Looking ahead in 2019, the 5 foot 3, 115 lbs fighter is scheduled to take on No. 5 ranked Karolina Kowalkiewicz this March.

Last week Waterson spoke by phone with Forbes and talked about the modern MMA fighter's tough daily regimen, and also what women have influenced her as a professional fighter.

What motivated you toward combat sports and got you to start fighting?

I have an older brother and I wanted to be just like him. When we were little kids we were into combat superheroes such as the Power Rangers, and when he got into martial arts, I followed suit. Every time I went to class I wanted to learn more and more. Because I was always a smaller person it helped me develop as a teen and into a young adult. I never thought (fighting professionally) was going to be an option for me but when I saw my first fights, I thought it was fun and wanted to do it, so I started training at that level. It was very different from that more artistic style of martial arts I learned growing up, but that’s why I loved it.

I’ve been fighting professionally for 12 years now and I use martial arts in every aspect of motivation my life, even in raising my daughter.

Today most people on the street probably don’t know the current boxing heavyweight champion but know who Ronda Rousey is. What’s your perspective on that, and women in combat sports?

I remember watching my first female fight broadcast on national TV and it was between Gina Carano and Julie Kedzie. Later both became friends of mine, as Gina and I were on Fight Girls, and I met Julie when I trained in New Mexico at the beginning of my career.

It seems like a long time ago, and maybe a bit taboo that women would be in fighting sports. Then Ronda Rousey came around and became dominant in the sport, and that helped give women visibility and a voice. We were always there, but with her being pretty outspoken helped open the floodgates and let more of us get recognized for performing at the highest level of fight sports, which is UFC.

Of all the female fighters, I’d say that for me Holly Holm has been a huge inspiration. She’s an amazing person both inside and outside the octagon, and she’s a good example of someone who’s passionate and pushing the sport further.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZK6Q4xNaWw

Holly Holm has been both a champion in boxing and in MMA style fighting. Do you think other women look to multiple different styles, as you have in your training?

I think MMA is a very young sport still figuring out what it is becoming. I think a lot of fighters, not just women, come with a specialty style, assets, and background. But we learn quickly that it is MMA for a reason — you have to learn how to blend all martial arts styles together to be effective in the octagon. The UFC and MMA have reached a point to which, if you are not blending styles you will fall behind.

Talk about your training regimen. What do you do every day?

Fight camp for me is usually eight weeks. That’s my sweet spot. Some people do more, some do less. The basic outlook of the week is that I’m trying three to four times a day, with road work and runs up to three miles a day, and then one day of sprints and tabatas to get my heart rate up and also train my body to get my heart rate back down. During the week I do two sessions of stand-up mitt work with my striking coach, and three sessions of jiu-jitsu, two sessions of wrestling, two sessions of MMA sparring, and one session of big glove kickboxing and sparring.

Then throughout the week I’ll do, mixed in to all that, two sessions of strength conditioning, plus plenty of study on my next opponent and some type of mental practice to keep my mind sharp.

I subscribe to the idea that the body is your temple, pushing yourself is part of it, but hydration and rejuvenation is key, so obviously nutrition is important and my BodyArmor partnership helps in that In MMA, your body is your set of tools, so there are no accessories.

Frye has written previously for ESPN.com and covered sports for Rolling Stone. Follow his Twitter at @MySportsComplex
Andy Frye
Contributor

Some day I still hope to interview her on her wushu (https://www.martialartsmart.com/wushu-competition-equipment.html) background.

[GeneChing]

Michelle Waterson ‘disheartened’ by UFC Tampa weigh-in debacle, Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her to calm down (https://www.mmamania.com/2019/10/9/20906913/michelle-waterson-disheartened-ufc-tampa-weigh-in-debacle-joanna-jedrzejczyk-wants-her-calm-down-mma)
“For me it’s nonsense and justification of herself. I don’t know, maybe it makes her feel better about it, and she’s able to lift it somehow psychologically. Every fighter cuts weight and it’s not pleasant for anyone. And she puts the guilt on her dietary team. Doesn’t Joanna use her own brain? In my opinion, this is just one big fraud.” —Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Feb. 2018
By Jesse Holland Oct 9, 2019, 4:03pm EDT

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Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In what will no doubt come as disappointing news to Paige VanZant, who was hoping to capitalize on a strawweight opportunity later this year, it seems top ranked 115-pound contender, Michelle Waterson, is moving forward with her UFC Fight Night 161 main event this weekend on ESPN+ in Tampa, Florida.

And because the “Karate Hottie” would not be pressured into taking a catch-weight fight, opponent Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be forced to attempt another “scary weight cut,” a situation that has left Waterson feeling both distracted and disheartened.

“I heard that Joanna was having trouble making weight and that she wanted to renegotiate the contract at 120 [pounds],” Waterson told MMA Fighting. “I took this fight under the assumption that we were both in contention for the strawweight belt, and to me, that’s a very serious undertaking. There’s only a couple things you have to do as a fighter, and one of them is make weight. My intention is to fight for the strawweight belt—not for the flyweight belt, not for the featherweight belt. The 115 belt.”

The winner of this fight, assuming it goes off without a hitch — or a fatality — is expected to move on to challenge reigning women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang, who captured the crown with a first-round destruction of Jessica Andrade back in August.

A bout that will not afford the one-pound allowance exclusive to non-title fights.

“She’s made the weight plenty of times,” Waterson continued. “She’s fought at strawweight more than she’s fought at any other weight in the UFC. I don’t see how this would be any different. We’ve both known about this fight for quite some time, so that’s the most disheartening part of it all. I took this fight so I could fight Weili [Zhang] next—not [Valentina] Shevchenko.”

Despite today’s weight-cutting headlines, Jedrzejczyk can’t seem to figure out what all the fuss is about. By her estimation, any talk of coming in heavy is premature, as the UFC Tampa weigh-ins are scheduled for Friday morning, giving her plenty of time to shed the excess pounds.

“Did I miss something? Did I miss the weigh-ins today or what? Because the weigh-ins are on Friday,” Jedrzejczyk told her Instagram followers. “I don’t know what’s going on, the weigh-ins are [Friday] and you’re all worried. The fight is on, the weigh-ins are on Friday. Keep it calm, guys. All fine, step-by-step. I will see you there.”

I think she did miss something, like this report claiming she informed UFC of her inability to make weight as early as last week. Perhaps it was an attempt to skip the brutal weight cut by getting Waterson to grant leniency, but “Karate Hottie” wasn’t taking the bait.

Friday morning is going to be very, very interesting.

I'm curious if anyone here has ever had to cut weight for a fight. I mean, I'm always trying to lose weight but not like that.

[GeneChing]

UFC: Joanna Jedrzejczyk would ‘take a canoe to China’ to beat up Zhang Weili – ‘I know I’m better than her’ (https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3037867/ufc-joanna-jedrzejczyk-would-take-canoe-china)
Former strawweight champion says she’s waiting for a date and location for title shot against China’s Zhang
‘Anytime, anywhere … I see gaps in her game, I’m the more well-rounded fighter’
Tom Taylor
Published: 12:51pm, 15 Nov, 2019

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Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Instagram

Not long ago, former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk was sizzling under the tropical sun in Bali, Indonesia. Fighting was the ****hest thing from her mind.
That’s changed now.
Jedrzejczyk is back in her native Poland and, having nearly recovered from the injuries she sustained in her impressive October defeat of Michelle Waterson, will soon be ready to attempt to reclaim the strawweight title she once guarded so ferociously.
It’s an opportunity she was promised.

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Joanna Jedrzejczyk at the hospital after beating Michelle Waterson. Photo: Instagram

“I signed an agreement before the fight with Michelle Waterson,” Jedrzejczyk told the Post mere days after her holiday ended. “I knew that after I got the victory I was going to fight for the belt. This is what’s going to happen next, and I’m just waiting for the date and the location, and then we’re going to rock it.”
The UFC strawweight title, which Jedrzejczyk defended a record-breaking five times before her reign ended, is currently guarded by Hebei’s Zhang Weili.

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Zhang Weili walks off after beating Jessica Andrade for the strawweight title at UFC Shenzhen. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC

Zhang swiped the title in August, cudgelling Jessica Andrade to a TKO victory in just 42 seconds.
Jedrzejczyk is impressed by the current strawweight champ – and by anybody with the skill and hardihood to capture a UFC belt – but is fully confident she’s the better fighter of the two.
“She’s the champ,” Jedrzejczyk said of Zhang. “There is more than 500 athletes in the UFC, and only 12 champions with the new divisions. If you can make it, good.

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Zhang Weili celebrates her UFC Shenzhen triumph. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC

“She made it. I was very impressed. Actually, the day before her fight [with Andrade], I said that she was going to win, that she was going to surprise, and she did. But I can see some gaps, I can see good and bad sides [of her game].”
Jedrzejczyk is particularly complimentary of the champion’s power, but believes her own well-roundedness will propel her to victory in their fight.
“She’s explosive, her punches are juicy, crispy, she has knockout power behind her punches,” she said. “She’s young, she’s hungry. But I know I’m better. I’m the more well-rounded fighter.”

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Zhang Weili is China’s first UFC champion. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC

As of yet, this widely anticipated title fight is unscheduled, but Jedrzejczyk is hoping it will soon be pencilled on to the calendar for early 2020. As for the setting of the fight? She doesn’t care.
She’s even willing to fight Zhang in China.
“Anywhere, anytime,” she said. “Bangkok, Sri Lanka, Warsaw, Toronto, it doesn’t matter where. For me, it doesn’t matter. I will make my way. Even if we have to take a canoe, I will make it to China and beat the s*** out of her.”

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/11/15/c33ea4a4-0753-11ea-a68f-66ebddf9f136_972x_125138.JPG
Jessica Andrade gets kicked by Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 211. Photo: AFP

Jedrzejczyk does not have a specific prediction for this fight with Zhang, but she is promising that we’ll see “the old JJ”.
For those with short memories, the Jedrzejczyk of old was not only one of the UFC’s most dominant champions, but perhaps the most ferocious fighter in the sport, regardless of weight class or gender.
Even after a laid-back holiday on the sun-dappled beaches of Bali, the former champ flaunts sniper-like focus. She’s already picturing the moment that the belt is wrapped around her waist again.
“It’s gonna feel better than the first five [defences],” she said. “It’ll be different – bigger. It’s going to be a very special moment. It will cement my legacy.”
Zhang Weili has reinvigorated my interest in UFC.

THREADS
Zhang Weili (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71462-Zhang-Weili)
Michelle 'Karate Hottie' Waterson (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69680-Michelle-Karate-Hottie-Waterson)

[GeneChing]

Jun 28, 2021 8:44am PT
Timothy Olyphant, Justin Cornwell and Others Join Tom Hardy in Netflix Action Thriller ‘Havoc’ (EXCLUSIVE) (https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-havoc-tom-hardy-timothy-olyphant-1235006622/)
By Rebecca Rubin, Patrick Frater
https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Olyphant-Cornwell.jpg?resize=681,383
Courtesy of Netflix
“Havoc,” an action thriller starring Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker, has rounded out its cast.

In addition to the previously announced Hardy and Whitaker, the Netflix movie will also feature Timothy Olyphant, “Training Day” and “The Umbrella Academy” actor Justin Cornwell, star of the upcoming Edgar Wright horror film “Last Night in Soho” Jessie Mei Li and Malaysian actress Yeo Yann Yann. Supporting cast members include Quelin Sepulveda, “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia” actor Luis Guzmán, “Headshot” star Sunny Pang, and UFC mixed martial artist Michelle Waterson.

“Havoc” takes place after a drug deal gone wrong and centers on a bruised detective who must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, while unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.


Gareth Evans is writing and directing the movie as part of his recently announced deal to produce and direct films exclusively for Netflix for the next several years. “Havoc” will be Evans first feature under the new creative partnership.

Long based in Indonesia, Evans is the director of kinetic action films “The Raid: Redemption” and “The Raid II” that enjoyed international success in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Along with his first feature, “Merantau,” the movies spawned a host of imitators, with many attempting to integrate lesser-known forms of martial arts. On the TV front, he co-created the TV crime series “Gangs of London.”

Olyphant, best known for the FX Western series “Justified,” had a part in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” as well as “Santa Clarita Diet” and the latest season of “The Mandalorian.”

Cornwell recently appeared in the Netflix original musical “Jingle Jangle” and acted alongside Chris Pine in the mini-series “I Am the Night.” Li currently stars in Netflix’s fantasy series “Shadow and Bone” as Alina Starkov and was in a 2019 stage production of “All About Eve.”

Yeo is a Malaysia-born, Singapore-based actor whose career rebounded with her starring role in Anthony Chen’s foreign language Oscar contender “Ilo Ilo” and Chen’s follow up film “Wet Season.” She also picked up an Emmy nomination in 2020 for her role in HBO Asia series “Invisible Stories.” “My heart is filled with excitement,” she told Variety. “[I] can’t wait to start the shoot.”

Producers on “Havoc” include Hardy, Evans for One More One Productions, Ed Talfan for Severn Screen and Aram Tertzakian for XYZ Films.

Yeo is managed by Echelon Talent Management.
threads
Havoc (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72098-Havoc)
Michelle-Karate-Hottie-Waterson (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69680-Michelle-Karate-Hottie-Waterson)