The co-main event of UFC on FOX 24 in Kansas City, Missouri saw Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson go toe-to-toe in a big women’s strawweight battle. Namajunas was nothing short of spectacular, and after a massive knockdown, she was able to submit “The Karate Hottie” in the second round to get back on the winning track.

Waterson cracked Namajunas with a side kick. A head-and-arm throw by Waterson ensued and she just about gave up her back by doing that. In fact, that’s exactly what Namajunas ended up doing after taking some short punches. Namajunas advanced to half-guard and then into Waterson’s open guard. Waterson closed her guard and made sure Namajunas couldn’t get much offense off. Namajunas fired off two hard elbows ad Waterson tried to escape. Waterson got back to her feet but ate a hard knee for her troubles. Strong oblique kick by Waterson backed Namajunas up. Namajunas got Waterson back down as the round ended.

Waterson started round 2 throwing flashy kicks that did not land. Namajunas was able to clip Waterson with a reaching right. A huge head kick by Namajunas dropped Waterson and she looked out cold. Somehow she wasn’t, but Namajunas uncorked serious ground-and-pound and the fight was perilously close to being stopped. Waterson kept an active guard but she was in survival mode. Namajunas took Waterson’s back in a scramble and sunk in the fight-ending rear-naked choke on a bloodied Waterson. Terrific display by “Thug” Rose, who is back in the women’s 115 lbs title picture at the expense of Waterson, who loses for the first time in the UFC.

Official result: Rose Namajunas def. Michelle Waterson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:47 of round 2