LAST NIGHT’S UFC event in Tampa culminated in a dominant display by Joanna Jędrzejczyk on her return to strawweight.
The Polish fighter, who lost a flyweight title bout to Valentina Shevchenko last time out in December, took a unanimous points decision over Michelle Waterson thanks to a strong defensive showcase and an impressive ability to get strikes away during the clinch.
Waterson was already bloodied when Jedrzejczyk settled into a striking rhythm in the second round, finding her range with a straight kick to the head of her New Mexico-based opponent.
Waterson’s best sight of the win came late in the third round when she attempted a rear-naked choke after getting the upper hand in a grapple. But the 32-year-old was able to work her way out and finished the round punching.
With the scorecards reading 50-45, 50-45 49-46 in the end, Jedrzejczyk’s kicking kept her in the ascendancy and left her nursing a swollen right foot.
“I fought (a) with broken foot since the end of the second round, beginning of the third,” Jedrzejczyk said post-fight.
Jedrzejczyk celebrates her decision victory. SIPA USA / PA Images
SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images
In the earlier bouts, Cub Swanson fought back to winning ways with a points decision over Kron Gracie.
Swanson claimed a win after four straight losses thanks to a strong standing game, striking the head and body of the grappling-specialist Gracie over the three-round fight.
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Jędrzejczyk fights through the pain to claim dominant win
LAST NIGHT’S UFC event in Tampa culminated in a dominant display by Joanna Jędrzejczyk on her return to strawweight.
The Polish fighter, who lost a flyweight title bout to Valentina Shevchenko last time out in December, took a unanimous points decision over Michelle Waterson thanks to a strong defensive showcase and an impressive ability to get strikes away during the clinch.
Waterson was already bloodied when Jedrzejczyk settled into a striking rhythm in the second round, finding her range with a straight kick to the head of her New Mexico-based opponent.
Waterson’s best sight of the win came late in the third round when she attempted a rear-naked choke after getting the upper hand in a grapple. But the 32-year-old was able to work her way out and finished the round punching.
With the scorecards reading 50-45, 50-45 49-46 in the end, Jedrzejczyk’s kicking kept her in the ascendancy and left her nursing a swollen right foot.
“I fought (a) with broken foot since the end of the second round, beginning of the third,” Jedrzejczyk said post-fight.
In the earlier bouts, Cub Swanson fought back to winning ways with a points decision over Kron Gracie.
Swanson claimed a win after four straight losses thanks to a strong standing game, striking the head and body of the grappling-specialist Gracie over the three-round fight.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Joanna Jedrzejczyk MMA UFC