In the Clinch: Kowalkiewicz Needs Win in Herrig Rematch, UFC Vegas 56 – There is a fighter on the card on Saturday’s UFC Vegas 56 card that I do believe needs a win more than any other.
You see, once upon a time, there was a princess. Her name was Karolina Kowalkiewicz and she was an undefeated phenom that entered the UFC octagon in 2015 and racked up three straight wins en route to a quick title shot against strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Kowalkiewicz had personality. She had spunk. She was a marketer’s dream. The future seemed bright even when she lost for the first time, a competitive decision to Jedrzejczyk.
And then, Kowalkiewicz lost almost every bout since then ever after, but not necessarily happily.
It’s been a long road for Kowalkiewicz (12-7-0), 36, as she has gone from phenom to featured prelim gatekeeper. She won only two of her last nine bouts. Her last win was in April 2018. To be fair, a lot of those defeats have been against top competition. She was also diagnosed and has been dealing with Hashimoto’s Disease since 2019. But a big win Saturday would lift a huge weight off her shoulders.
Felice Herrig probably has other ideas.
Herrig (14-9-0), 37, has lost three straight contests and has not fought since the bubble in August 2020. The “Lil’ Bulldog” can be seen on her Instagram attending Carla Esparza’s wedding and even putting the strawweight title belt around Esparza’s waist just like Dana White before she walked down the aisle.
After almost eight years, Herrig’s friend, Carla Esparza, is champion again. So, if the motivation to avenge the loss to Kowalkiewicz at UFC 223 isn’t enough, there’s that.
Herrig will likely want to get the fight to the ground, where she is strongest and Kowalkiewicz is weakest. Kowalkiewicz will want to use her striking. Whoever can impose their will should win the fight.
One of these fighters is going to shake the monkey off their back on Saturday. I haven’t made my mind up yet as to who it will be, but this is one we can all appreciate.
In the Clinch: Kowalkiewicz Needs Win in Herrig Rematch, UFC Vegas 56 – More Resources
- 2022 Panini Select UFC Trading Cards
- 2021 Panini UFC Prizm Trading Cards Checklist
- 2020 Topps UFC Striking Signatures Trading Cards Checklist
- 2019 Topps UFC Chrome Trading Cards Checklist
Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Felice Herrig
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