Marina Rodriguez took advantage of her first UFC main event slot on Saturday when she beat Michelle Waterson at UFC on ESPN 24.
Rodriguez (15-1-2 MMA, 4-1-2 UFC) got the job done in a short notice women’s flyweight headliner when she scored a unanimous decision victory over Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in the headlining act at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Rodriguez’s victory over Waterson at UFC on ESPN 24.
Taking Rodriguez next. Wrestling certainly seems to be her kryptonite/Waterson’s path to victory but I’m not convinced the American can do enough damage in those positions to win the fight. Waterson also has a propensity to eat right hands, as that’s a shot Rodriguez facilitates.
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) May 9, 2021
Strawweights are my favorite.
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) May 9, 2021
Nasty knees from Rodriguez
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 9, 2021
Feels like Marina Rodriguez hits really hard.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 9, 2021
Rodriguez has a clear meanness to her and I like it, a lot. #UFCVegas26
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) May 9, 2021
Waterson is getting an absolute ethering in the clinch.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) May 9, 2021
Not a good sign if Waterson checking the clock already…
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) May 9, 2021
Very technical fight. Waterson is so tricky. Both looking good. #UFCVegas26
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) May 9, 2021
Hellbows please Rodriguez. Let’s end this
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 9, 2021
Easy to throw a 6 strike combo when there’s no weight on anything and you miss everything but that last hit. Sorry im bitter I didn’t fight tonight 😩
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 9, 2021
Rodriguez smelling blood
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) May 9, 2021
Wait, this is flyweight? Awh lord, Waterson is 105er. Tough. #UFCVegas26
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) May 9, 2021
When Rodriguez learns to sit down a bit more on her punches and uses her legs to generate power instead of throwing arm punches, she’ll be significantly more dangerous than she already is.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) May 9, 2021
Waterson’s toughness is unreal.
Rodriguez likely up 30-27
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2021
Rodriguez just doesn’t seem the least bit worried about Waterson’s power. Wading in there and unleashing combos with no real concern about what’s coming back.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) May 9, 2021
Man the girl Rodriguez is so strong and fast, Waterson is such a OG she so tough!
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 9, 2021
Rodriguez is winning handily, but I’m surprised she lets Waterson off the hook after getting within boxing and clinch range. She’ll unload with big shots, then reset to distance, instead of keeping pressure.
I’m kinda just nitpicking though. Great performance so far.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) May 9, 2021
Wow. @karatehottiemma is one of those fighters that we will talk about for years to come. Fights her heart out with all the highest level opponents. Win or lose I just respect the hell out of Michelle. #UFCVegas26
— phoenix carnevale (@microphonephoen) May 9, 2021
Good round for Waterson but she needs a finish or a 10-8 in Round 5. No two ways about it. #UFCVegas26
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) May 9, 2021
She hurt Rodriguez!!!! Why is she not attacking?!
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) May 9, 2021
Hell of a main event with these two ladies @ufc
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) May 9, 2021
Damn those ladies threw down!
— Funky (@Benaskren) May 9, 2021
Violent back and forth fight between Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson, man. Well done by both. Both wearing the effects of that five-round fight. And this was on short notice for both.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 9, 2021
Rodriguez vs. Joanna would be amazing.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2021
