Michelle Waterson (14-5) suffered a devastating submission loss at the hands of Rose Namajunas (6-3). The co-main event of UFC on FOX 24 delivered a likely number one contender bout between Waterson and Namajunas. The “Karate Hottie” came into the bout with two straight wins, while “Thug” had won 3 of her last four bouts.
Michelle Waterson (14-5) suffered a devastating submission loss at the hands of Rose Namajunas (6-3).
The co-main event of UFC on FOX 24 delivered a likely number one contender bout between Waterson and Namajunas. The “Karate Hottie” came into the bout with two straight wins, while “Thug” had won 3 of her last four bouts.
Waterson looked for a leg kick at the start of the fight. He landed a spinning back kick to the face and took Namajunas down. Namajunas reverse the position and took the back of Waterson with both hooks in. She transitioned to top control. The “Karate Hottie” went for a triangle. Namajunas rained down some elbows.
Namajunas landed a knee to the body as Waterson got back up. The two separated and returned standing. Namajunas landed a punch and took her opponent down. Time expired about 15 seconds later.
The second stanza was underway and Waterson landed a body kick followed by a push kick. Namajunas connected with a head kick that dropped Waterson. She followed up with some hammerfists and ground-and-pound. A mouse formed above the right eyebrow of Waterson. Namajunas took the back and locked in a rear-naked choke to force the tap.
Final Result: Rose Namajunas def. Michelle Waterson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – R2, 2:47
The UFC rolls on with this evening’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and the card presents arguably one of the best ever put together for free television. In the main event, dominant longtime UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will seek a record-tying tenth
The UFC rolls on with this evening’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and the card presents arguably one of the best ever put together for free television.
In the main event, dominant longtime UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will seek a record-tying tenth title defense when he meets Wilson Reis in the main event, an accolade that would put him directly on par with all-time great middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
In the co-headliner, touted No. 4 and No. 6 women’s strawweights Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson will battle for what may be the next title bout versus the winner of May’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Jessica Andrade.
Overall, the event presents a stacked card from the main card to the Fight Pass prelims, and should provide fans a hard-hitting night of MMA in the UFC’s first-ever show from K.C.
Find out who we picked to win in the main bouts below:
Photo: Tracy Lee for USA TODAY Sports
Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis:
This potential record-tying fight for ‘Mighty Mouse’ is a big win, as he’ll cement the foregone conclusion of him joining some of MMA’s all-time greats. Few, if any, are giving Reis a chance to snag the gold from the longtime 125-pound ruler, yet while I think that’s a bit foolish considering his hard-nosed style and submission prowess, it’s also somewhat of a risky fool’s errand to pick against the massive favorite Johnson at this point. I feel “Mighty Mouse” is simply too fast, precise, and technical on the feet, and he should be able to use that to outclass Reis on the scorecards. “Mighty Mouse” by unanimous decision.
MMAFighting.com
Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson:
This pivotal strawweight co-main event is an intriguing one, as Namajunas has a few questions to answer about her overall mental stat following a disappointing loss to Karolina Kowalkieicz in her last bout over weight months ago. She’s only 24, but has fallen just short in the most impactful bouts of her young career thus far, making this fight with Waterson arguably the most important of her UFC stint so far. On the other hand, Waterson looked calm, cool, and dominant in her first-round win over Paige VanZant, and has all the weight of the UFC promotional machine behind her right now (just like Namajunas did on TUF). In terms of the in-octagon action, I think Namajunas will simply be too big for “The Karate Hottie,” using her superior range and volume striking to avoid takedown and win the fight on the scorecards. Namajunas by unanimous decision.
Photo: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Jacare Souza vs. Robert Whittaker:
Long the perceived title contender at 185 pounds, Jacare Souza has done nothing but dominate all but one UFC foe on his way to becoming perhaps the most feared grappler in all of mixed martial arts. He’ll face off against a tough rising possible contender in Whittaker, who has looked nothing but spectacular after giving up a drastic weight cut to 170. He’s never faced anyone with anything close to Jacare’s seamless, brutal ground skill, however, and if he fails to keep this bout standing he’ll obviously be in for a long (or short, depending on the way you look at it) night. Souza ended the speculation that he may head to Bellator by recently signing a new eight-fight contract with the UFC, and he looks poised to finally cement a title shot, if that’s even possible in the mess middleweight has become. All he can do is keep winning, and I believe he’ll do that this evening. Souza by submission in R2.
Rafael Suanes-US PRESSWIRE
Jeremy Stephens vs. Renato Moicano:
A potential featherweight firefight will kick off the UFC on FOX 24 main card when knockout puncher Stephens meets rising undefeated prospect Brazilian Moicano. This is a huge bout for both fighters, as Stephens needs to deliver in a spot where he’s favored on a grand stage, while Moicano has little to lose and could storm into the Top 15 or even Top 10 with a win over No.5-ranked “Lil’ Heathen.” It’s a close call – one that is a lot closer than the odds suggest, and I think Moicano has it in him to pull off the upset. I’m not sure he will unless he can get this one to the canvas, however. Stephens should be motivated after nearly knocking out Frankie Edgar in his last fight, so I’m giving him a slight edge. Stephens by R3 TKO.
A UFC women’s strawweight title shot may be on the line when No. 4-ranked Rose Namajunas meets No. 6 Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tomorrow’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Although ‘Thug’ maintains the higher ranking for the time being, it could
A UFC women’s strawweight title shot may be on the line when No. 4-ranked Rose Namajunas meets No. 6 Michelle Waterson in the co-main event of tomorrow’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Although ‘Thug’ maintains the higher ranking for the time being, it could be argued that it’s ‘Th Karate Hottie’ who has far more momentum after her first-round submission win over the formerly touted Paige VanZant in December, her second straight submission win in the octagon, while Namajunas will look to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 201.
The high-stakes women’s bout could definitely bring forth the next contender to longtime strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk or Jessica Andrade, who will meet for the gold in the co-main event of May’s UFC 211 from Dallas. Check out Namajunas and Waterson’s faceoff from today’s ceremonial weigh-ins courtesy of MMA Fighting here:
Michelle Waterson believes she could be fighting for a title opportunity tomorrow night (April 15). Waterson will go toe-to-toe with Rose Namajunas inside the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The strawweight tilt is going to serve as UFC on FOX 24’s co-main event. It’s a pivotal bout in the 115-pound division as Waterson sits […]
Michelle Waterson believes she could be fighting for a title opportunity tomorrow night (April 15). Waterson will go toe-to-toe with Rose Namajunas inside the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The strawweight tilt is going to serve as UFC on FOX 24’s co-main event. It’s a pivotal bout in the 115-pound division as Waterson sits […]
The UFC heads to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time with one of their strongest Fox cards to date.
Headlining the action will be Demetrious Johnson. The UFC flyweight champion is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today and p…
The UFC heads to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first time with one of their strongest Fox cards to date.
Headlining the action will be Demetrious Johnson. The UFC flyweight champion is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today and possibly ever. He is top notch in every facet of the game. “Mighty Mouse” is closing in on Anderson Silva’s title defense record (10). A win will see Johnson tie the mark.
Perhaps the most compelling matchup on the card is the co-main event.
Strawweight contenders Michelle Waterson and Rose Namajunas meet for the first time inside the cage. They are two of the most marketable and promising strawweights on the roster, and a big win on Saturday could see them as the next challenger for the title.
Who does the B/R staff favor in the UFC on Fox 24 main card matchups?
Craig Amos, Steven Rondina, Scott Harris and, myself, Nathan McCarter are here once again to give you our thoughts. Pull up and chair and gander at who we picked to get their hand raised in each of the four main card tilts this Saturday.
The fighters of UFC on FOX 24 took over the Power and Light District in Kansas City Thursday, holding open workouts. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, challenger Wilson Reis, Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson were among those who showed off their skills for fans in attendance. In this recap from the session, hear from those […]
The fighters of UFC on FOX 24 took over the Power and Light District in Kansas City Thursday, holding open workouts. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, challenger Wilson Reis, Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson were among those who showed off their skills for fans in attendance. In this recap from the session, hear from those […]
