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Karolina Kowalkiewicz aims to rebound from skid at UFC-Gdansk – and celebrate with a cookie
Filed under: News, UFC, Videos
GDANSK, Poland – Karolina Kowalkiewicz returns to action at UFC Fight Night 118 as relaxed as ever, despite her recent run of poor form.
Kowalkiewicz (10-2, 3-2 UFC) unsuccessfully challenged Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the UFC strawweight title at UFC 205 in New York last year. Then Kowalkiewicz suffered the first stoppage loss of her career when she was submitted by Claudia Gadelha at UFC 212.
The back-to-back losses are the only blemishes on Kowalkiewicz’s record, and she took a philosophical view when she chatted with MMAjunkie at UFC Fight Night 118 media day at Ergo Arena, site of Saturday’s UFC Fight Pass-streamed event.
“What can I say? Shit happens!” Kowalkiewicz said with a laugh. “We’ve changed a few things in my training. Now I’m really prepared for this fight, and you’ll see everything on Saturday.”
Kowalkiewicz takes on UFC debutant Jodie Esquibel (6-2, 0-0 UFC), who brings an eight-fight record into the octagon, including a win over current “The Ultimate Fighter 26” contender DeAnna Bennett in her last outing.
“She’s a newcomer in the UFC,” Kowalkiewicz said. “But we were all newcomers (once) in the UFC. Jodie is a great striker. She’s very tough. She’s a good and complete MMA fighter.”
The fight also marks Kowalkiewicz’s return to her homeland to compete in front of her own fans for the first time in her UFC career. When asked whether fighting on home soil brought more pressure or more fun, she was adamant.
“More fun,” Kowalkiewicz said. “I never feel pressure before fights. I feel pressure when I am hungry, and I can’t eat a cookie because I’m making weight. This is a great experience, I (get to) fight in the UFC in my home. This is great.”
And if Kowalkiewicz is successful on Saturday night, she already knows what post-fight treat she’ll indulge in as she celebrates victory.
“Chocolate cookie!”
For more on UFC Fight Night 118, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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