Michelle “the Karate Hottie” Waterson edges Angela “Overkill” Hill in a thriller of the main event at UFC Fight Night

UFC‘s long run inside the Apex continues with UFC on ESPN+ 36 tonight, Saturday, Sept. 12.

Headlining the event is a women’s strawweight fight between Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill. The co-main event features two rising lightweights in Khama Worthy and unbeaten prospect Ottman Azaitar.

“The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson (17-8) is coming off of two losses. Her last bout against Carla Esparza could have went either way and the judges ruled a split decision for Esparza. Prior to that, she went the distance with Joanna Jedrzejczyk and lost via unanimous decision. Waterson is looking to get back in the win column and put a little streak together.

Angela “Overkill” Hill (12-8) had won three consecutive fights before losing a split decision to Claudia Gadelha, which was a fight that she felt she won. Hill is making history tonight as the first African-American woman to headline a UFC event.

This is how the main event went down…

Round 1

Hill opens as a very slight favorite in this fight. Nice overhand right from Hill lands. Waterson shakes it off. Waterson looks for the clench and has Hill up against the cage. Nice knee from Waterson. Hill escapes that’s back to the center of the cage. Waterson has some swelling under her eye, most likely from that big right that Hill landed earlier. Waterson looks for the double leg. Hill with a nice sprawl to avoid. Angela Hill looks crisper and is landing more clean blows. Waterson with a nice front kick and again looks for the clinch but Hill now has her up against the cage. Hill looks confident and is landing some kicks.

MyMMANews scores round 1 10-9 Hill

Round 2

Waterson lands in nice right but Hill comes back with a right of her own. Both women take turns exchanging some combinations. Hill with two rights and wobbles Waterson but Michelle stands her ground. Waterson with a 1-2 and a leg kick and follows that up with a single leg attempt but Angela Hill fights that off. Hill again defends the take-down and has Waterson up against the cage. Very close round.

MyMMANews scores round 2 10-9 Hill

Round 3

First minute of round three is pretty even with both fighters content standing up and exchanging. Waterson with a nice jab a now secures her first take-down of the fight. Hill is bleeding from her nose as Waterson tries to advance. Hill is doing a good job of avoiding damage on the bottom as Michelle is still trying to advance into possible side control. Hill tries get to her feet and Waterson spins to the back and is landing some ground-and-pound. Waterson is doing a great job dominating the position and has been on top for more than half of round 3. Referee Mark Goddard has to warn Hill as she landed an illegal up kick right before the bell 1

MyMMANews scores round 3 10-9 Waterson

Round 4

The round starts with both ladies throwing their hands and they clinch and now back to the center of the octagon. Waterson which to southpaw and lands a nice kick. Waterson seems to be finding her timing and is winning the exchanges. Hill with the nice take down defense. Michelle with some nice technique and lands a couple kicks from the southpaw position. The round ends as these two warriors are clinched up against the cage and Waterson scores on the exit as the bell sounds scores round 4

MyMMANews scores round 4 10-9 Waterson

Round 5

Waterson looks for the take-down but Hill defends and lands a right. As the fight has progressed we see Waterson fighting more and more from the southpaw stance. She lands a couple nice stiff jabs. This has been a very close, very fun fight this far. The last half of a round 5 and it’s still up for grabs. Waterson with a nice little flurry that ends with a leg kick. This is definitely fight of the night as these two are slugging it out until the last second. A terrific effort from both

MyMMANews scores round 5 10-9 Waterson

Official results 48-47 Hill 49-46 Waterson 48-47 Waterson…

Michelle Waterson victorious by split decision

MyMMANews results 48-47 Waterson

'Beautiful' Bob Meloni

More than 15 years experience in the PA/NJ regional MMA circuit. Commentator/post fight interviews/pre-fight show host @ Art of War Cage Fighting and Ring of Combat The story of the fighter is what Bob loves about the sport. From the lowest level, to the highest, he only cares about the two warriors who do battle once the cage doors close. Everything else is secondary. Without their blood, sweat, and tears, he would not be here enjoying every minute.

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