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Michelle Waterson-Gomez officially retired from MMA on Saturday night after her defeat to Gillian Robertson at UFC 303. The 38-year-old veteran had hinted at retirement before the fight, and the UFC paid homage to her career with a heartfelt video during her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. Unfortunately, the fight did not go her way, resulting in a lopsided decision loss, marking her fifth consecutive defeat.
After the fight, Waterson-Gomez removed her gloves, visibly emotional as she addressed the crowd.
"I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the UFC and all you fans continuing to push me," she said, tears streaming down her face. "Fighting runs through my veins. It’s made me who I am. When you fight, you chase greatness."
Known affectionately as "The Karate Hottie," Waterson-Gomez's UFC journey began in 2015 after she held the atomweight championship in Invicta FC. Despite often being undersized in the strawweight division, she consistently ranked in the top 15 throughout much of her career. Her debut main event win over Paige VanZant remains a highlight, alongside notable victories against Felice Herrig, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Angela Hill.
Waterson-Gomez reflected on her decision to retire, sharing a conversation with her husband that helped her come to terms with leaving the octagon.
"I’ve been contemplating this and I talked to my husband — what am I if I’m not fighting? And he told me, ‘Just because you’re not fighting in the octagon, doesn’t mean you stop fighting.’ That really helped me to accept moving on."
With an overall record of 18-13, Michelle Waterson-Gomez's MMA career began in 2007 and spanned over a decade of memorable moments and significant achievements. Her legacy in the sport will be remembered for her fighting spirit, technical prowess, and the inspiration she provided to many fans and aspiring fighters.