• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
MMA

UFC 218 Breakdown: Tecia Torres Battles Michelle Waterson For Major Title Implications

by Jonathan Salmon Published on Nov 29, 2017

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

This should be a fun one to watch.

In a match up of well rounded strikers, Tecia Torres versus Michelle Waterson is traditional martial arts enthusiasts dream. Both come from traditional martial arts backgrounds, Torres from taekwondo and Waterson from karate. As such, both women utilize similar approaches in their striking style. With the strawweight division wide open after the shocking defeat of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, it’s a free for all to see who can get into title contention.

Tecia Torres can do it all. If she feels like your striking is too unpredictable she’ll take you down to the mat. If your ground game is rock solid, she’ll stop the takedown and force her opponents to engage in a stand up fight. Whatever the circumstance, Torres is well versed in the striking and grappling department giving her a nice edge on most of the opponents she’s faced in her career.

 

The biggest issues Torres has faced in the past is her height. While being shorter allows her to get in on the legs for a takedown far easier, when at a reach disadvantage on the feet she could be prone to eating jabs. This rang true in her bout with new champ Rose Namajunas. To ensure a repeat of events doesn’t come to pass, Torres should look to use her speed advantage, throwing combination punches to set up kicks. Should Waterson fight in her more traditional side stance then Torres should look to hammer home powerful leg kicks.

If Waterson chooses more of a traditional kickboxing approach, left hooks to takedowns should be mixed in with her kick heavy attack. If Waterson overextends her self during her side kicking attack, Torres should look to get to the back where she can drag the fight to the ground.

“The Karate Hottie” made a huge splash when she entered the UFC knocking off her first two opponents in dominant fashion. That is until she ran into Rose Namajunas. Michelle Waterson got herself into trouble in that match by virtue of her love for the head and arm throw, a technique that has great reward if pulled off but a low success rate. Her decision making ability will have to be on point in this match up as her opponent is capable of switching gears if necessary.

Waterson like Torres does her best work at distance. Where Torres has more of a tendency to barrel straight forward her opponents with punches, Waterson creates angles beautifully before, during and after combinations.

Michelle Waterson should look to lead the dance with feints and fakes before leaning back with a check left hook. Since Torres has a tendency to hold her head high when throwing punch combinations, Waterson should aim to throw her right hand in the pocket only as an invitation for her opponent to come forward and engage. When “The Tiny Tornado” does come forward, Waterson’s check hook will work nicely as either a damaging shot or something to keep Torres at bay. Waterson can also switch to a left body or head kick to add variety.

Should she choose to fight in her southpaw stance, Waterson can attack utilizing her wide array of kicks, particularly the side kick to right hand combination that. In order for the attack to be effective, she’ll have to be light on her feet and quick recover.

It’s a battle between two of the most talented female strikers out there. Who will get the victory?

Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

About Jonathan Salmon

Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility