UFC 205: #PolishPower will take over NYC as Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz clash in a Civil War

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (MMA Fighting)

The entire card of UFC 205 is filled with the best male fighters in UFC history. Each one of them are fighting for something. It is the women however who have received the most attention, and rightfully so. UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz are fighting for pride, in the United States but more importantly, their home country of Poland.

Never has a fight been so heavily promoted due to the two people involved. While Conor McGregor may get the Irish fans aboard to love the sport, he’s only one man.  Jedrzejczyk  and Kowalkiewicz are fighting for the mutual respect they deserve, and have earned. Both fighters are happy to be where they are; the center of the room where everyone will know their name forever.

These two fighters have only faced each other once, albeit under different circumstances. Joanna won an amateur fight between the two in Poland in 2012. They are different physically and mentally now, but still have the same passion.

Kowalkiewicz (10-1) defeated Rose Namajunas at UFC 201 in July in what is being called an upset win. With that victory, she cemented herself as the number one contender for the 115 pound belt. While at open workouts, MMA Junkie was able to get a word in from the challenger. She seemed very humbled to be at UFC 205, but she is not distracted by her game plan. It will be a tough bout, but she’s ready, stating:

 “I know it will be the hardest fight of my life,” Kowalkiewicz said at today’s UFC 205 open workouts. “For her, it will be the hardest fight of her life. Two girls from Poland fighting on the biggest event in the world. It will be a great fight and I hope you will like it. 

On the other side, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has become one of the most popular and dominant MMA fighters of all time. Her intimidation factor is key for her victories. The world has seen that passion and intimidation during her time as a coach for The Ultimate Fighter. She defeated coach Cláudia Gadelha in a bout that almost was done on the show itself (not planned of course). This past week, the passion increased. During their pose off yesterday, Joanna literally headbutted Karolina. It was move not seen before by any of UFC’s female fighters.

httpss://twitter.com/ufc/status/796816092316385281

Joanna is not a huge fan of Karolina, calling her fake a few times. She does not care about Karolina except the guarantee that she will destroy her. On Wednesday’s conference call, she laid out her goals and one of them is to be recognized as the best. Always one to tell it like it is, Joanna was very open and stated:

“I know that I’m not the prettiest one, I’m not having big boobies or I’m not American, but I want people to remember me as the best female fighter, undefeated in MMA, and the UFC champion of the world. I want to be a legend. I want people to talk about me in five, 10 years, 20 years, that I was one of the best female MMA fighters, that I was one of the best UFC champions in the world back in the day.”

It’s clear behind both quotes that these women want to be remembered. The promo song for UFC 205, “Live Like Legends” is perfect for the theme of this match. Both of these women are featured in the UFC 205: Fighting For History series, and its quite moving. You see how much they want this and what they are willing to do to each other to achieve glory.

While their history is short, they have made it seem like the fight will be a bloody war. Pride and a title is on the line, and these women will prove they belong. With the passion both of these women have, they may bring down MSG with them.