Michelle Waterson takes split decision over Angela Hill
Michelle Waterson returned to the win column with a hard-fought split decision victory over Angela Hill on Saturday night.
Hill, who was competing in her fourth contest in 2020 despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, got off to a good start and outstruck Waterson in the first two rounds.
That output from “Overkill” saw Waterson accrue damage to her left eye and nose, but could also have been the catalyst for “The Karate Hottie” to improve from the third round onward.
Hill’s takedown defence looked on point, rebuffing 17 of Waterson’s attempts throughout the fight, but was unable to resist being grounded by her opponent in the third round and that appeared to swing the momentum in Waterson’s favour.
Waterson’s striking volume increased in the last two rounds, and while her shots didn’t have as much sting as Hill’s, two of the three judges scored the fight in her favour for those efforts.
It was a big win for Waterson and a tough night for Hill, who shouldn’t be disheartened following this high-intensity, closely-fought contest.
Ottman Azaitar wrecks Khama Worthy in co-main event
It only took 94 seconds for German-born Moroccan “Bulldozer” Ottman Azaitar to make his mark in arguably the biggest fight of his career.
Khama Worthy didn’t have much time to settle any fight nerves as Azaitar stunned him with a right hand and a big left hook.
Trying to regain any semblance of bearings, Worth was then met by a blitz of follow-up punches.
Azaitar never stopped throwing – and landing – big punches as Worthy slumped to his knees.
Referee Herb Dean rightly called the contest off, awarding Azaitar a big TKO win on his co-main event debut.
Azaitar is now 13-0 in his MMA career with two knockout wins in the UFC so far. It will be interesting to see who this 30-year-old lightweight will be pitted against next.
Watch this space.
UFC Fight Night 177: Waterson vs. Hill full results
Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson def. Angela Hill by split decision after five rounds
Lightweight: Ottman Azaitar def. Khama Worthy by TKO (punches) at 1:33 of round one
Women’s Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision after three rounds
Light Heavyweight: Ed Herman def. Mike Rodríguez by submission (kimura) at 2:41 of round three
Lightweight: Bobby Green def. Alan Patrick by unanimous decision after three rounds
Featherweight: Billy Quarantillo def. Kyle Nelson by KO (punch) at 0:07 of round three
Women’s Bantamweight: Sijara Eubanks def. Julia Avila by unanimous decision after three rounds
Lightweight: Kevin Croom def. Roosevelt Roberts by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:31 of round one
Heavyweight: Alexander Romanov def. Roque Martinez by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:22 of round two
Catchweight: Jalin Turner def. Brok Weaver by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:20 of round two
Welterweight: Bryan Barberena def. Anthony Ivy Decision by unanimous decision after three rounds
Women’s Flyweight: Sabina Mazo def. Justine Kish by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:57 of round three