Claudia Gadelha Finishes Kowalkiewicz, Not Concerned About Title Fight (Full Fight Video Highlights, Post Fight Interview)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz made a mistake at UFC 212, and Claudia Gadelha was all too happy to make her pay.
After a Gadelha takedown, Kowalkiewicz gave up her back to the perennial number one contender at strawweight, and was rewarded with a rear naked choke. After submitting, a visibly emotional Kowalkiewicz wept in the cage.
You can see an excerpt from our UFC 212 coverage below.
Round One: The round begins with Gadelha attacking Kowalkiewicz with leg kicks, Gadelha then attacks Kowalkiewicz with an overhand right. The fighters crack each other with simultaneous rights, Gadelha then nails Kowalkiewicz with a two strike combination. Kowalkiewicz then pops Gadelha with a left hook to the chin, Gadelha grabs Kowalkiewicz and she holds her against the cage wall. Gadelha scores a takedown on Kowalkiewicz and she gets side control, Gadelha transitions to back control on Kowalkiewicz. Gadelha locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #1 Claudia Gadelha def. #2 Karolina Kowalkiewicz by submission via rear naked choke (3:03, R1)
Both women have fallen to dominant 115-pound champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk — Gadelha twice. After her victory, Gadelha noted that she wasn't particularly concerned about the title, as she's "focusing on other things in life." However, the UFC will be instituting a new 125-pound women's division imminently, culminating in a new season of The Ultimate Fighter.
