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 Area in Rio de Janeiro (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+), in what would be the largest age hole for a ladies’s combat 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, that means she has all of the youth on her facet. Kowalkiewicz has much more high-level fights below her belt, nonetheless, and he or she 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 massive problem for me. She’s very harmful. I’m extra skilled than her. We have now comparable data, however she didn’t combat massive names. I’ve fought in UFC for 9 years. I’ve fought with 4 or 5 world champions. I fought with massive names on massive occasions. That is my benefit as a result of I’m extra skilled. She’s younger, so I’ve to anticipate every little thing.”
There is probably not a greater time for Kowalkiewicz to come across this problem. She’s at present driving a four-fight profitable streak, which was a large rebound from the five-fight shedding skid she encountered from 2018-2021 that generated discuss retirement.
If Kowalkiewicz is ready to prolong her streak towards Lucindo, although, she would break again into the dialog about preventing authentic contenders at 115 kilos. She stated 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 stress,” Kowalkiewicz stated. “I need to have enjoyable – have enjoyable and make some cash. I deal with the combat like each combat: If I win, it is going to be cool. It is going to be very cool. If she wins, OK, good for her. However I hope I’ll win and it is a massive problem for me to combat with new technology.”
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