Rodriguez vs Waterson-Gomez

Who won Rodriguez vs Waterson-Gomez?

Marina Rodriguez beat Michelle Waterson-Gomez by knockout in the 2nd round during the main card of UFC Fight Night – Fiziev vs Gamrot, on Saturday 23rd September 2023 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Women’s Strawweight division, which meant the weight limit was 115 pounds (8.2 stone or 52.2 KG).

Rodriguez vs Waterson-Gomez stats

Marina Rodriguez stepped into the octagon with a record of 16 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws, 6 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez made her way to the cage with a record of 18 wins, 11 losses and 0 draws, 3 of those wins coming by knock out and 9 by submission.

This was Marina Rodriguez's 13th fight in the UFC, having made her debut for the promotion in 2018.

Marina Rodriguez's UFC record stood at 7-4-2, while Michelle Waterson-Gomez's came in at 6-8-0.

The stats suggested Rodriguez had a large advantage in power over Waterson, boasting a 38% knock out percentage over Waterson's 17%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Waterson had a massive advantage over Rodriguez, boasting a 50% submission rate over Rodriguez's 6%.

Marina Rodriguez was the younger woman by 2 years, at 36 years old.

Rodriguez had a height advantage of 3 inches over Waterson. That also extended to a 3-inch reach advantage.

Rodriguez was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 8 fewer fights, and made her debut in 2015, 8 years and 1 month later than Waterson, whose first professional fight was in 2007. She had fought 12 less professional rounds, 61 to Waterson's 73.

Rodriguez vs Waterson-Gomez form

Marina Rodriguez had beaten 3 of her last 5 opponents.

In her last fight leading up to this contest, she had lost to Virna Jandiroba at UFC 288 on 6th May 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Prudential Center, Newark, United States.

Previous to that, she had been beaten by Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night: Mitchell vs. Evloev on 5th November 2022 by knockout in the 3rd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, she had won against Yan Xiaonan at UFC 272 on 5th March 2022 by split decision in their 3 round contest at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Before that, she had beaten Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 39 on 9th October 2021 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

She had defeated Michelle Waterson-Gomez at UFC Vegas 26 on 8th May 2021 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez had beaten 1 of her last 5 opponents.

In her last fight before this contest, she had been defeated by Luana Pinheiro at UFC 287 on 8th April 2023 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, United States.

Previous to that, she had lost to Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Rodriguez on 16th July 2022 by submission in the 2nd round at UBS Arena, Long Island, New York.

Going into that contest, she had been beaten by Marina Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 26 on 8th May 2021 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Before that, she was victorious against Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 10 on 12th September 2020 by split decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

She had been defeated by Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC on ESPN+ 19 on 12th October 2019 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at Amalie Arena, Tampa.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Marina Rodriguez had been fighting more than Michelle Waterson-Gomez.

Going to this contest, Marina Rodriguez had last fought 11 months and 20 days ago, while Michelle Waterson-Gomez's last outing had been 1 year and 18 days ago.

Rodriguez's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days, meaning she had been fighting on average every 7 months and 4 days. In those fights, she fought a total of 19 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3.8 rounds on average.

Waterson's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 6 months and 14 days, meaning she had been fighting on average every 10 months and 27 days. In those fights, she fought a total of 20 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 4 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Rodriguez vs Waterson-Gomez?

Marina Rodriguez was a 1/50 (-5000) favourite going into the contest, while Michelle Waterson-Gomez made her way into the ring at 9/1 (+900) with oddsmakers.