Watch: Waterson caps UFC Sacramento by choking out VanZant in 1st round
@karatehottiemma chokes out Paige Van Zant in RD1!! #UFCSacramento #UFCFightnight #ufc #mma pic.twitter.com/zfDiguVKCw
— MMA MEDIA (@mmamediauk) December 18, 2016
The notion of ring rust appeared completely alien to Michelle Waterson on Saturday.
In her first fight in 17 months, the 30-year-old choked Paige VanZant unconscious just 3:21 into the strawweight main event of UFC on FOX 22 in Sacramento. The 11th-ranked Waterson has now won eight of her last nine and improved her promotional record to 2-0 with the submission, her second straight by rear-naked choke.
"The Karate Hottie" appeared wary of VanZant's edge in size and athleticism in the bout's early goings, keeping her fellow strawweight at bay with kicks from range. Waterson's prudent ways didn't last long, though, as she swiftly backed "12 Gauge" against the cage before landing a head-and-arm toss and seizing her back. VanZant's doom soon followed, as Waterson coiled her arms around the youngster's neck and squeezed until she'd rendered her unconscious.
VanZant's uncharacteristically tentative performance rids her of the momentum gained from the impressive knockout she scored over Bec Rawlings this past summer. The 22-year-old has alternated wins and losses in each of her last four fights, and now holds a UFC record of 4-2.