Michelle Waterson has headlined many events in the past for the Invicta Fighting Championships promotion, but UFC On Fox 22 will be the first time she will be headlining a UFC event. Her opponent on Saturday Night will be Paige VanZant and in the co-main event of the evening features Sage Northcutt, another young star like VanZant, but Waterson believes that despite both fighters young ages, they are both credible inside the octagon.
?Sage is a martial artist,? Waterson said to MMA Junkie. ?That?s his background. Just because he looks like a Ken doll/Super Saiyan, you can?t take away his credibility. With Paige, she?s been dancing all her life. She?s an athlete, but you can?t take away her credibility. With that being said, I know where I?m at. I trust and believe in my skills and abilities, and I know that I?m a martial artist through and through.?
Waterson says that she has to take every opponent she faces seriously -- even one as young as the foe she will be facing at UFC On Fox 22.
?Um, you know, yes,? Waterson said. ?You have to take every fighter seriously. As far as me calling her green, it?s just me trying to be honest with myself, and not trying to always be so politically correct ? being comfortable in my own skin and expressing how I feel. It?s true; she is green. I have lots more years of experience than she does. But just because she?s green does not mean that I?m taking her lightly. I?ve trained the hardest I?ve ever (trained).?
UFC On Fox 22 takes place on Saturday, December 17 from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California with Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson headlining.