Karolina Kowalkiewicz’s task at UFC 301 is one which no feminine in firm historical past has ever been tasked with earlier than.
Former UFC title challenger Kowalkiewicz (16-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) is ready to tackle surging strawweight prospect Iasmin Lucindo (15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) on Saturday at Rio Enviornment in Rio de Janeiro (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+), in what would be the largest age hole for a girls’s battle ever within the octagon.
Poland’s Kowalkiewicz, 38, is charged with taking over Lucindo, 22, and discovering out if the Brazilian is the true deal. Lucindo was simply 13 when Kowalkiewicz made her promotional debut in 2015, which means she has all of the youth on her aspect. Kowalkiewicz has much more high-level fights underneath her belt, nonetheless, and she or he expects that to play a key position in how the competition performs out.
“She’s 16 years youthful than me,” Kowalkiewicz informed MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “She’s very younger, very proficient. She makes progress very quick. This can be a huge problem for me. She’s very harmful. I’m extra skilled than her. We’ve got comparable data, however she didn’t battle huge names. I’ve fought in UFC for 9 years. I’ve fought with 4 or 5 world champions. I fought with huge names on huge occasions. That is my benefit as a result of I’m extra skilled. She’s younger, so I’ve to count on all the pieces.”
There is probably not a greater time for Kowalkiewicz to come across this problem. She’s at present using a four-fight successful streak, which was an enormous rebound from the five-fight dropping skid she encountered from 2018-2021 that generated discuss retirement.
If Kowalkiewicz is ready to lengthen her streak in opposition to Lucindo, although, she would break again into the dialog about preventing legit contenders at 115 kilos. She mentioned she’s not overthinking what’s at stake going into the octagon, as a result of that mindset has led to all of the latest success.
“This win is essential for me – however I don’t need to really feel strain,” Kowalkiewicz mentioned. “I need to have enjoyable – have enjoyable and make some cash. I deal with the battle like each battle: If I win, it will likely be cool. Will probably be very cool. If she wins, OK, good for her. However I hope I’ll win and this can be a huge problem for me to battle with new technology.”
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