Michelle Waterson shined in her first UFC headline fight. Waterson faced Paige VanZant in the UFC on FOX 22 main event in December 2016, a big spot for then-recently signed former Invicta FC atomweight champion. In Round 1, Waterson used her side kicks to keep VanZant at bay, while VanZant continued to circle, looking for openings to close the distance. VanZant then went for a head-and-arm throw, but Waterson reversed it and landed one of her own, taking VanZant down to the mat. VanZant gave up her back when trying to roll out of danger, and Waterson capitalized by taking her back and sinking in the rear-naked choke, putting VanZant to sleep