Karolina Kowalkiewicz refused to take a backwards step tonight as she pressured Jodie Esquibel from start to finish at UFC Fight Night 111 in her native Poland and emerge with a unanimous decision victory.
Round One:
They meet in the middle and immediately let feet and fists fly at close range. Esquibel working push kicks as Kowalkiewicz looks for punches.
Right and a left hand from Esquibel. Kowalkiewicz almost catches one of her opponent’s frequent push kicks. Kowalkiewicz with a couple of punches as Esquibel moves forward.
Esquibel repeatedly comes forward with her head down and tries that push kick, but Kowalkiewicz is already starting to time these attacks and is peppering her opponent with left and right hands.
Knee kick upstairs from Kowalkiewicz as Esquibel ducks her head low. Another couple of punches from Kowalkiewicz. Body kick now. A clipping right hand. Nowthing too heavy-handed, but if she can continue to connect then she’s going to wear Esquibel down.
Right hand for Esquibel and Kowalkiewicz looks for the counter as the round comes a close.
Round Two:
Three punches land in quick succession for KK. Now she feels out with a couple of kicks. Esquibel persists with the push kicks, but they aren’t really working for her.
Kowalkiewicz throws a few knees. Now she’s stalking Esquibel and eventually is able to get into the muay thai clinch and land a few hard knees upstairs that seem to wilt Esquibel for a moment before she breaks free.
KK still pressing forward and goes for the knees again. Esquibel clinches up to break this cycle.
It’s not long before Kowalkiewicz is back to striking range and punches and a head kick trouble her opponent. Esquibel goes back to the safety of the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz gets some space and is immediately back to moving forward looking for kicks and punches. Knee to the body from Kowalkiewicz and now she’s worked a trip takedown and is immediately trying for an armbar. Esquibel is able to protect her arm enough to make it out of the round, but she’s bleeding now and has a lot of work to do if she wants to win this fight.
Round Three:
Right hand gets through for Esquibel. Kowalkiewicz with an uppercut. She almost catches a kick from Esquibel. Flurry of punches for KK.
Jab for Esquibel as Kowalkiewicz marches forward. Esquibel attempts a takedown, but Kowalkiewicz easily stuffs that. Head kick attempt from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz with a couple of punches then steps into a nice knee to the head. Push kick for Esquibel. She eats more punches now.
Another knee for Kowalkiewicz. Straight punches land as Esquibel backs up. One-two for Esquibel, but soon after Kowalkiewicz lands a three-piece combo.
Front kick to the body and two punches behind it from KK. Now a body kick. A couple of nice knees to the body as Esquibel comes forward and now Esquibel is hitting reverse gear hard.
Relentless pressure from Kowalkiewicz here and she continues to unleash 1-2’s. Another nice knee to the body from KK. Right hand for Esquibel as the fight comes to an end.
Decision
No doubt about the winner here. Kowalkiewicz repeatedly tagged Esquibel throughout the fifteen minute encounter and looked dangerous with her knees to the head at times, and though she wasn’t able to find the finish she emerges with a convincing unanimous decision victory (30-27 x3).
