TUF 21 Finale results: Michelle Waterson submits Angela Magana in UFC debut

Michelle Waterson

LAS VEGAS – With every move and counter, Michelle Waterson sent one message to Angela Magana: Anything you can do, I can do better.

After an early submission threat from Magana (11-8 MMA, 0-2 UFC), former Invicta FC champ Waterson (13-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took over and dominated until she coaxed a tap in the third frame

The strawweight bout was part of the main card of today’s TUF 21 Finale event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Magna submitted at the 2:38 mark after spending most of the final round with Waterson in rear mount, raining down punches and strikes before she sought the submission. A head kick put Magana on the mat and allowed Waterson to go to work.

It wasn’t the first time the ex-champ held a dominant position. One frame earlier, she took mount and threatened an armbar submission, which served as an emphatic response to a Magana attempt in the first that forced her to scramble.

Magana’s early attempts at stuffing Waterson against the cage were met with sweeps that put her on her back. On the feet, Waterson’s punches and kicks found their target.

After the upset loss of her Invicta FC belt this past December, Waterson makes a successful octagon debut while Magana, a veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter 20,” remains winless in the octagon after a debut loss to fellow castmate Tecia Torres. She now has lost four straight.

Up-to-the-minute TUF 21 Finale results include:

• Michelle Waterson def. Angela Magana via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:38
• Maximo Blanco def. Mike De La Torre via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 0:16
• Josh Samman def. Caio Magalhaes via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52
• Jerrod Sanders def. Russell Doane via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Trevor Smith def. Dan Miller via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
• George Sullivan def. Dominic Waters via unanimous decision (30-25, 29-27, 29-28)
• Willie Gates def. Darrell Montague via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:36

For complete coverage of the TUF 21 Finale, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan and Matt Erickson contributed to this report on site in Las Vegas.)