Michelle Eileen Waterson-Gomez[7] (born January 6, 1986) is an American former mixed martial artist, actress, stuntwoman, and model who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

[10][11] She then attended the University of Denver, also working as a waitress at Hooters, until she realized she wanted to pursue a career in fighting.

[12] Her early interest in gymnastics, and inability to pay for classes, led her to karate at the age of ten.

[13] Waterson holds a black belt in American freestyle karate and has also trained in wushu, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, and wrestling.

[14] Waterson rose to fame as a contestant on the Muay Thai-themed Fight Girls reality show on the Oxygen television network.

[16] Waterson made her MMA debut on February 16, 2007, at Ring of Fire 28: Evolution against Andrea Miller, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

[18] She faced Freestyle Cage Fighting champion Lynn Alvarez at Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed on December 1, 2007, but lost by submission in the first round.

[21] On April 11, 2009, Waterson fought former WIBA and IFBA Flyweight Boxing Champion Elena Reid at Apache Gold: Extreme Beatdown.

[23] Waterson faced the debuting Rosary Califano at EB - Beatdown at 4 Bears 6 and won by submission due to a flying armbar in just 15 seconds.

She faced Diana Rael at Jackson's MMA Series 7[27] and won the fight by rear-naked choke in the first round.

[32][33][34] Waterson won the fight via armbar submission in the fourth round to become the Invicta FC Atomweight Champion.

[35][36] On September 6, 2014, Waterson successfully defended her championship against Yasuko Tamada in the main event of Invicta FC 8 via TKO in the third round.

[39] On April 28, 2015, it was reported that Waterson had officially signed with the UFC and was expected to compete in the Women's Strawweight division.

[43] After over a year-and-a-half away from the sport due to injuries, Waterson returned in December 2016 to face Paige VanZant in the main event at UFC on Fox 22.

[61] However, due to some personal reasons on Waterson's side, the bout was moved three weeks later to UFC Fight Night 177.

[64] After the fight, Waterson was awarded her BJJ brown belt in the octagon from her coach, Gracie Barra's Rafael 'Barata' Freitas.

[80] She lost the fight via unanimous decision, and subsequently announced her retirement from mixed martial arts competition.

[90] She is featured in the music video for Head Crusher, the first single from the Endgame album by the American Metal band Megadeth.