MMA Preview – Marina Rodriguez vs Michelle Waterson-Gomez 2 at UFC Fight Night 228
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MARINA RODRIGUEZ VS MICHELLE WATERSON-GOMEZ FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 228? Saturday 23rd September, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 228? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 228? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 228 on? TNT Sports 3
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 228? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
MARINA RODRIGUEZ VS MICHELLE WATERSON-GOMEZ LOWDOWN
Marina Rodriguez (16-3-2) is in the unfamiliar territory of a losing streak. After suffering the first loss of her career to Carla Esparza (2020) she went on an impressive four-fight streak including decisions over Michelle Waterson-Gomez (2021), Mackenzie Dern (2021) and Xiaonan Yan (2022). However, she then ran into the title contender Amanda Lemos (2022) and got TKO’d. Virna Jandiroba then piled on the misery in a unanimous decision back in May.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-11) is in even worse form going 1-5 in her last six. She lost decisions to Joanna Jedrzejczyk (2019) and Esparza (2020) before snatching a split decision over Angela Hill (2020). However, she is now coming off three disappointing losses to Rodriguez (2021), Lemos (2022) and Luana Pinheiro five months ago.
MARINA RODRIGUEZ VS MICHELLE WATERSON-GOMEZ PREDICTION
Their first clash was over two years ago, but the lack of improvements in Waterson-Gomez’s game make her the heavy underdog. That said, we still expect this to be competitive. Waterson-Gomez is a dynamic striker with brilliant kicks. She can also wrestle and she will be wise to incorporate it more this time around.
Rodriguez is a Muay Thai specialist and will have a three-inch height and reach advantage. If this stays on the feet, we expect her to win the exchanges stringing her combinations and kicks together to impress the judges.
If Waterson-Gomez executes a game plan based on her wrestling, she has a chance, but Rodriguez takedown defence is good enough to keep this fight on the feet and at her range.
Prediction: Rodriguez via Decision
Value bet: Waterson-Gomez via Decision
