Karolina Kowalkiewicz Earns Title Shot At UFC 201 With Upset Win
It looks like we’ll be seeing an all-Polish UFC Strawweight Championship fight.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz upset #3-ranked Rose Namajunas at UFC 201 to earn a shot at Joanna J’s 115-pound title. After the fight, Kowalkiewicz said that she realized her dream and was looking forward to it when UFC color commentator Joe Rogan outright announced the upcoming fight.
Namajunas won the first round, countering several of Karolina Kowalkiewicz’s attacks, most notably her leg kicks that weren’t being set up. In the second round, Kowalkiewicz made adjustments, abandoned the “naked” leg kicks, and started finding success in the clinch with big knees. These paid off, as Namajunas’ gas tank emptied in a hurry following the knees, and Kowalkiewicz took advantage.
In the end, Kowalkiewicz was handed a split decision victory, with the second round being closer than many were willing to admit.
No tenative date was announced for a potential fight between Kowalkiewicz and Jedrzejczyk. The history between the two extend far beyond what meets the eye, as Jedrzejczyk once defeated Kowalkiewicz as an amateur.
“I know Joanna, I respect her very much,” Kowalkiewicz said. “She is the best in the world, I will fight her and I will beat her.”
You can see our full UFC 201 coverage at this link.
