Rodriguez batters Waterson to win decision in UFC main event

Marina Rodriguez was victorious in her first UFC headliner.

Rodriguez defeated Michelle Waterson via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Rodriguez dominated Waterson in the first three rounds, picking her apart with punches and kicks. One of her biggest moments came at the end of the third when she swarmed Waterson with a barrage of strikes.

Waterson came back in the fourth stanza, taking Rodriguez to the ground where she maintained good control and battered the betting favorite with elbows.

But Waterson's momentum did not continue in the final frame, and Rodriguez earned a clear-cut decision win.

Rodriguez now owns a two-fight winning streak. She is the No. 6-ranked strawweight, but this fight took place in the women's flyweight division because it was booked on short notice. Rodriguez, 34, is one of the rising contenders at 115 pounds.

Waterson entered Saturday's clash coming off a split-decision win over Angela Hill in a main event last September. The 35-year-old is now 1-3 in her past four outings.