Michelle Waterson Earns A Decision Win Over Karolina Kowalkiewicz!
UFC on ESPN 2 is happening now Saturday (March 30, 2019) from inside Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In an intriguing 115-pound bout, the former Women’s Strawweight title challenger and ex-KSW Flyweight champ Karolina “Polish Princess” Kowalkiewicz squares off against the former Invicta FC Atomweight queen Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson.
Our ref is Dan Miragliotta. Here we go!
Round 1
The fight opens hard, Kowalkiewicz’s leg kick was countered by Waterson’s brutal cross. Waterson goes for a sidekick but lands one to the body. Counter right Waterson, takedown attempt, but no success. Right cross Waterson followed by a good oblique kick. Kowalkiewicz aims for the legs again, good kicks.
Waterson shoots in, but no success this time, the Pole stops her. Oh, a head kick missed by a hair! Kowalkiewicz continues attacking with these leg kicks, both fighters in the center. Uppercut Kowalkiewicz, more kicks, and now fighters are trading shots, this turns into a wild brawl.
Karolina is on the fence, fighters trading elbows. Waterson tries a spinning attack but lands a kick to the body. Kowalkiewicz responds with knees to the body but eats an elbow, the end of the first round. Close round, probably 10-9 Waterson, unsure.
Round 2
Karolina lands 1-2 superb combo, leg kicks blocked. Waterson attacks with her lead leg, but Karolina counters with a right hand. And again nasty 1-2 combination, this is a war!!!
Head kick attempt, again missed by a hair, Waterson answers with a punch. Leg kicks Waterson but Karolina grabs her leg this is dangerous position now!
Good elbow, and now Waterson trips Karolina Kowalkiewicz, what a move, great Judo throw into a side control!!! Karolina attempts a reverse triangle, but it won’t pass this time.
Waterson is in the dominant position, trying to work on that far arm. Karolina holds her close, giving her no space to work off the top. Good knees. Waterson attempts a great armbar but Karolina defends like a pro and releases her elbow. 10-9 Waterson.
Round 3
Head kick Waterson, followed by one-two combination. Right hand Kowalkiewicz, who lands another strong strike and stops a takedown. Waterson tries to throw her, not this time, another superb strike by The Pole. Knees Kowalkiewicz, fighters separate, now Karolina attempts a jumping switch kick but misses her mark.
Kowalkiewicz punches into the clinch, now both fighters trading knees. Waterson lands to the head, few solid elbows. Fighters separate, and another superb strike by Michelle Waterson.
Waterson goes for a single-leg into guard, but Karolina defends. Good elbows by Waterson, The Pole is on the fence again, it seems she has problems. Body kick Kowalkiewicz, a great spinning technique by Waterson but missed by a hair. The end of the round, I’d say Kowalkiewicz 10-9.
Check out the highlights below:
Big takedown in round 2 for @KarateHottieMMA! #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/8v6No69iI1
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
ARMBAR!@KarateHottieMMA snatches up the armbar, but @KarolinaMMA survives through the end of the round! Wow! #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/ihsDUwy94h
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
Big elbow in the clinch for @KarateHottieMMA!
What a performance! #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/a3ecS2CB6D
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
Waterson gets it done!#UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/7j2euu9HUz
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
"I want to go get that gold. #MomChamp y'all."@KarateHottieMMA #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/qOq14xbfLu
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
#CookieBoss watching Mom get the victory 😍 @KarateHottieMMA #UFCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/qOYJaYa2YG
— UFC (@ufc) March 31, 2019
Pros reaction:
@karatehottiemma …. you never cease to amaze me. I’m so proud I could never explain. Awesome job! Awesome performance! So well deserved!!!! Yeah baby!!!!!!!!! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/TNdiwye4gx
— Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) March 31, 2019
Final Result: Michelle Waterson def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Michelle Waterson improves her score to 17-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC, Karolina Kowalkiewicz drops to 12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC.
