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By Jim Edwards



After she spent more than a year out of the ring, Michelle Waterson's return date is finally set. It was announced yesterday that she will face Irish strawweight Aisling Daly at UFC Fight Night Hamburg on September 23.



Waterson has been out of action since her UFC debut in July last year when she defeated Angela Magana via a rear-naked choke at "The Ultimate Fighter"--Season 21 finale. Shortly after that victory, Waterson suffered knee and hand injuries that ruled her out of action until just a few weeks ago when she announced to FloCombat she was ready to make her comeback.



With her date now booked against Daly, Waterson can't wait to get back in the Octagon to test herself against another tough opponent in the UFC's women's strawweight division.



"I think she [Aisling Daly] is a great matchup for me," Waterson said. "She's one of the bigger girls at 115 pounds, so I think that will be one of her biggest advantages against me. She also has good submissions and can take people down by any means necessary.



"But everyone has their weaknesses. I think I'm faster than her, and I also think that I'm more creative with my MMA combinations. I think our styles should make for a good fight. I'm hoping that a win will at least push me into the top 10 of the strawweights."



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If Waterson does this, she will have to go to European soil for the first time and win. All of her 17 professional bouts so far have been fought in America, though this isn't something that will bother the Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter one bit.



"I'm very excited to be fighting in Germany," Waterson said. "My little sister was born there and we lived there for two years when I was very young. I don't remember much, but from the pictures we have, it looks beautiful.



"I know I'm just going to have to be that much more prepared because the travel and time change means there is an extra layer to my fight camp this around."



Waterson has spoken previously about how she has her eyes on the UFC women's strawweight belt which is still around the waist of Joanna Jedrzejczyk after she defeated Claudia Gadelha earlier this month at "The Ultimate Fighter 23" finale.



Before the fight, Waterson told FloCombat she picked Gadelha to get the upset via decision. But after the bout, Waterson was more focused on talking up the performances of both women.



"I thought it was a great fight and both ladies put it on the line," Waterson said. At the end of the day, that's the reason why we do this. I believe Claudia had the right idea to beat Joanna, but she just ran out of steam and Joanna was able to turn the tides and win the last three rounds.



"That's what makes her [Jedrzejczyk] a champion. She pushes through adversity and never stops. I'm not sure if it was her plan to tire Claudia out, but it definitely worked. Both ladies showed tremendous heart, and beautiful technique and ability."

