UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Nearly losing the ability to continue her MMA career has given Michelle Waterson a different perspective ahead of UFC on ABC 3.

Waterson (18-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC), a former Invicta FC champion, will return to the octagon for the first time since May 2021 on Saturday when she meets Amanda Lemos (11-2-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in a strawweight bout at UBS Arena. The main card airs on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

An injury has kept “The Karate Hottie” out of action for the majority of the past 14 months, and she admits there was a time she was worried she wouldn’t return. She’s now healthy and has a new lease on life, especially when it comes to the context of what MMA means to her.

“For me, everything is looking up,” Waterson told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ABC 3 media day. “If you’re talking about what’s at stake, I’m already winning. I took a step back being away for so long and realized I get to do what I love as a martial artist, step in front of challenges, find out things that scare me, and challenge myself to overcome those things. So in that sense, I’m already winning. There is nothing at stake. I’m going out there, be in the moment, be a true martial artist, and enjoy every second of it. It’s only 15 minutes, so got to soak it up.”

Back in 2019, Waterson was one win away from securing a UFC title shot at 115 pounds. She’s since lost three of her past four, albeit to the elite of the division in current champion Carla Esparza, former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and top-ranked contender Marina Rodriguez.

At 36, Waterson is still eager to compete. She’s confident Lemos brings a style to the cage that will make for the type of fight she enjoys most.

“I think stylistically it’s going to lend to Fight of the Night,” Waterson said. “I’m really excited. She likes to bite down on the mouthpiece and stand and bang. So with her style and my style, I’ll be able to display all my tools.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 3.