Fight week drama aside, Michelle Waterson sifts through emotions before UFC on ESPN+ 19

TAMPA, Fla. – It’s been nothing short of a hectic fight week for UFC strawweight contender Michelle Waterson.

In the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 19, Waterson (17-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) takes on former 115-pound champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) on Saturday at Amalie Arena. The card streams on ESPN+.

Just days prior to Waterson’s second UFC headliner, rumors began to circulate. Per multiple reports, Jedrzejczyk told the UFC she was struggling with the weight cut. According to ESPN, the UFC had even gone as far as to offer Waterson a few back-up options.

Luckily for Waterson, her Polish opponent dismissed the doubters and indicated the weight cut was on point. Displeased by the fight week drama, Waterson is relieved to hear Jedrzejczyk’s claim.

“It’s an amazing relief,” Waterson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Thursday’s media day. “Like I said, I have faith in Joanna. She’s always been very professional. She’s never missed weight before. Honestly, it’s probably just a moment of weakness that came out to the media.

“Then when the media catches onto something, everybody wants to know what’s going on. I’m hoping that it’s just something that’s been blown out of proportion, and we can both make weight tomorrow morning and fight.”

If there is a a problem with Jedrzejczyk’s weight cut, “The Karate Hottie” will cross that bridge when she comes to it. For now, Waterson is just focusing on what she can control.

“My focus is for Saturday,” Waterson said. “I signed the contract to fight Joanna for a five-round bout here in Tampa at the max weight of 116 pounds. That’s what I intend to do. All I can really do is focus on what’s inside of my control.”

As for her own weight cut, everything is on point, according to Waterson. She praised her UFC Tampa fight camp and the team around her responsible for it.

“I’m right on schedule for a very good, healthy weight cut,” Waterson said. “This camp has been immaculate. All of my coaches and teammates have all just been vibing so well this camp. I’m actually really excited that I get five rounds with Joanna.”

It’s not just a win that’s up for grabs Saturday, the 33-year-old strawweight believes she has the opportunity to further her legacy and impact – concepts she has only recently begun thinking about.

“It’s something that has been kind of coming into this new chapter of my journey within the last year,” Waterson said. “It’s really cool, actually. I came into the gym as the young buck. I was the one who just got into MMA, who nobody knew who I was. Everybody calls me ‘Peanut’ at the gym. I was like everybody’s little sister.

“Now we fast forward to 12 years later, and I’m the old one. I’m the old one in the gym trying to crack jokes with the young guys.”

She continued, “… It gives me the chills just thinking that by stepping into the octagon on Saturday and having these interviews, by talking to somebody I don’t know and telling them, ‘Man, you can do it. Take it one day at a time.’ That’s effecting them for the rest of their lives? It gives me the chills. Martial arts changed my life at a very young age, and if it can just do that for one person, then it will all be worth it.”