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Esha Knows Stuff

just a  little bit of everything
 

BOUT BREAKDOWN: NAMAJUNAS VS WATERSON

#4 ranked strawweight "Thug Rose" Namajunas (6-3) will face #6 ranked strawweight Michelle "The Karate Hottle" Waterson (11-4) on April 15th at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.


ME WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS:

ALSO ME AFTER I BOUGHT FLOOR TICKETS:

Honestly, it has been a hot second when I compared 2 fighters going against each other where I have noooo idea who will take the crown.


Liiiike WOW Namajunas vs Waterson is ONE hell of a matchup to be quite honest with you...


WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ROSE NAMAJUNAS

The last time we saw Rose was when she faced Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-1) on July 30th during Lawler vs Woodley in a 3 round bout yet lost to a very close split decision.


MIND YOU was her only loss since 2014. During this fight, I noticed how she was very patient with her timing in testing out Kowalkiewicz.


Making little mistakes against a very slick Muay Thai fighter would be a downfall since Namajunas showcases her Brazilian jiu-jitsu and can out-strike a lot of the fighters within her division.

Ever since that loss, she has been nonstop training in Denver, Colorado even before the announcement of fighting Waterson.


Namajunas also seems to surprise me somehow from how much she has grown as a fighter. I don't think I can ever stress that enough because it is clear she has been getting stronger and more specialized with her skills.


ESPECIALLY with Pat Barry in her corner...

Namajunas really does have all the tools to become a Champion in my eyes. She is doing everything the right way. I respect her a lot more to not go into hiding when she lost. It just makes her want to work that much harder on herself in the positive and I am ALL about that.


LEARN.

TRAIN.

REPEAT.


WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MICHELLE WATERSON

Waterson made her name known once again after an impressive comeback against Paige "12 Gauge" VanZant (7-3) with a very fast submission win in the first round. They both were a part of the main event at UFC Sacramento on December 17th.


It was as if she didn't take any time off from the cage at all.

RING RUST?


Nahhhhhhhhhhhh Braaaaaaaaaah BECAUSE, I didn't see any of that. She stepped in the ring the same way she stepped off, but better.


I never doubted Waterson's skills as a martial artist.

Waterson has a black belt in karate for a reason and I feel she utilizes that very well every time she steps into the octagon. She is proving that no matter what her opponent does because there is always an answer for it.


"The Karate Hottie" has taught us that no matter what life throws at you just remember to follow your passions. That might actually sound CHEESY AF...

Buuuuuuuuuuut Waterson has Champion blood in her as we all know her past as I have explained in previous articles before. I don't believe that will ever really change...


SO WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS?!?!

FIRST OF ALL...


Let's not forget that they BOTH fought Paige VanZant and DOMINATEDDDDDD. Aside from the most recent with Waterson, let's take a step back into memory lane with Namajunas...

With Namajunas I see her finally finding her groove in a technical sense. She is not just becoming more adult in life but as a fighter. Pacing herself and not attacking fast from instinct is something I have noticed.


As for Waterson, she is very quick inside the cage compared to Namajunas. That is the only thing I can really see that will be a problem for her.


They BOTH have amazing striking.

They BOTH have fantastic Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

They BOTH know how to finish fights.

They BOTH know the right time to count against their opponent.

I can see this fight going all rounds by coming to a decision in the end. They are basically fighting each other honestly.

It was interesting narrowing down the opponents after Waterson's most recent win and who she should fight next. There were a few others in line, but once Namajunas was made official with the UFC for this fight it was ALL OVER.


There will be not just an epic striking brawl on their feel, but one of these ladies will end up getting ground control. Do I feel either one will be submitted by the other?


TO BE HONEST... not this time.

Namajunas vs Waterson is going to be a very SMART fight because any little mistake that the other can't counter with a quickness will be game over.


Like they always say.. you can never really 100% predict a fight in the world of combat sports. Especially with mixed martial arts because anything can happen once the cage door closes. It's the beginning of the end. dun Dun DuUuuUuuuuUuuuNn.


OTHERWISE, THEY CAN JUST GET A MAJORITY DRAW BECAUSE THAT SEEMS TO BE THE REAL "IT" THING THESE DAYS...

My brain says Rose Namajunas, BUT my heart says, Michelle Waterson...

*REVERTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT* But really though, can it be April 15th yet?


Come find me in FLOOR 1, Row 12, Seat 4!!!!!

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