Joanna beat Waterson by unanimous decision (Photo: Facebook Joanna)
The belt is no longer in the possession of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but the Polish woman showed that she remains one of the most technical and dangerous women in the strawweight division. This Saturday (12), in the main fight of UFC Tampa, the former champion had no difficulty beating Michelle Waterson during the five rounds of the fight, winning by unanimous decision of the judges (50×45, 50×45, 49×46). After the triumph, Jedrzejczyk challenged Weili Zhang, who became champion in August this year, when she took the gold belt from the Brazilian Jessica Andrade with a knockout in 42 seconds.
With the positive result, Joanna recovers from the defeat suffered by Valentina Shevchenko, in December 2018, when she was frustrated while trying to win the women's flyweight belt. Waterson, in turn, broke a sequence of three positive results.
The fight
Joanna took the center of the octagon in the first seconds of the fight, but in the first minute she was almost surprised by a takedown attempt by Michele, which pinned the Polish woman with her back against the fence. The fight returned to the center of the cage, but for a short time, as the two returned to the cage and fought for position until the bell sounded.
Jedrzejczyk returned with a large volume of strikes, always staying one step ahead in her striking. Waterson tried to use her high-level karate to surprise, but she did little to threaten the Polish woman. The fight was truncated again on the schedule, to the dissatisfaction of the local public. In the final stretch, Joanna landed good high kicks on Waterson, who had difficulty breathing due to the high amount of blood running down his nose.
At a disadvantage in the initial rounds, Michelle started looking for the game, but Joanna had a clear advantage on her feet, landing strong kicks on her opponent's leg, who was throwing the blows. In the final minute, Waterson managed a good takedown and soon went to the back of the former champion, who intelligently defended herself from a rear naked choke attempt.
The fourth round had more of the same, with Joanna standing tall and delivering dangerous kicks to the American's waist and head. Watterson tried to respond with front kicks, but was unable to touch her rival, who continued to score through good combinations of jabs and leg kicks. Joanna still landed good knees in the Thai Clinch before the horn sounded.
Aware of the large advantage gained during the fight, Joanna returned to the final round more restrained, as did Michelle, who was unable to respond to the Polish woman's initiatives. Waterson then went all or nothing and fell, managing to catch her rival's back against the railing. Joanna, once again, wriggled out of position and returned to the center of the octagon, where she barely controlled her triumph until the final bell.
UFC Tampa results
MAIN CARD
Straw weight (up to 52,7kg): Joanna Jedrzejczyk derrotou Michelle Waterson by unanimous decision of the judges (50×45, 50×45, 49×46)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Cub swanson derrotou kron gracie by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Niko Price defeated James Vick by knockout at 1:44 of R1
Straw weight (up to 52,7kg): Amanda ribas derrotou Mackenzie dern by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg): Matt frevola derrotou Luis Peña by split decision of the judges (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Erik Anders derrotou Gerald meerschaert by split decision of the judges (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Ryan spann derrotou Devin Clark by submission (guillotine) at 2m01s of R2
Light weight (up to 70,3kg): Mike Davis defeated Thomas Gifford by knockout at 4:45 of R3
Welterweight (up to 77kg): alex morono derrotou Max griffin by unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×27, 29×27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Deiveson Figueiredo derrotou Tim Elliott by submission (guillotine) at 3m08s of R1
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Marlon Vera derrotou Andrew Ewell by technical knockout at 3:17 of R3
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Miguel Baeza defeated Hector Aldana by technical knockout at 2:32 of R2
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Marvin vettori derrotou Andrew Sanchez by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): JJ Aldrich defeated Lauren Mueller by unanimous decision (30×27, 30×27, 29×28)
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