TEARY-EYED GOODBYE
Watch UFC 303 star in floods of tears after announcing retirement in emotional interview with Joe Rogan
The fan favourite's retirement tugged on the heartstrings of MMA fans
MICHELLE WATERSON-GOMEZ fought back the tears as she emotionally announced her retirement at UFC 303.
The former Invicta FC atomweight champion brought the curtain down on her Hall-of-Fame career after suffering a decision defeat to Gillian Robertson.
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Waterson-Gomez was dominated by 'The Savage' for three straight rounds, prompting the judges to turn in 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 scorecards.
Defeat to Robertson was Waterson-Gomez's fifth in a row, a verdict which prompted her to call time on her pioneering career.
An emotional Waterson-Gomez was moved to tears after commentator Joe Rogan announced to the crowd that she'd be calling it a day.
She then managed to compose herself as the UFC played a montage of some of her finest career moments.
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After the package played, she said: "I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for the UFC.
"And all you fans continue to push me.
"Fight runs through my veins, it's made me who I am.
"When you fight, you chase greatness. I've been contemplating this [for a while].
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"And I talked to my husband and asked him, 'What am I if I'm not fighting?'
"And he told me, 'Just because you're not fighting in the octagon, it doesn't mean you stop fighting.'
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"And that really helped me to accept moving on. For as long I've known my husband, he's sacrificed his own dreams.
"As long as my daughter has been born, she's been in my corner.
"And she's sacrificed birthdays and events so they could be in my corner. "So I'm just excited to now be in their corner and cheer them on and be on the other side."
MMA fans around the world were quick to pay tribute to the departed Waterson-Gomez, with one saying: "'Karate Hottie forever.'"
Another said: "The saddest in-cage retirement."
And another said: "That made me emotional! Respect for Michelle and congratulations on a great career."
One remarked: "What a moment."
Another chimed in: "I remember turning the TV on and watching her fight YEARS ago when I was a kid.
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"She’s a legend IDC what anyone says."
Waterson-Gomez ends her career with a record of 18 wins and 13 losses.
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