UFC 223 Results: Karolina Kowalkiewicz defeats Felice Herrig
A key women’s strawweight fight between former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz and surging division contender Felice Herrig took place on tonight’s UFC 223 prelims from Brooklyn.
Round one begins and both women start firing off punches early. Karolina with a low kick. Felice responds with a kick to the body. Herric with a left, Karolina with a right. Another nice left from Herrig. Karolina circles out and then comes forward with a jab. Felice is trying to time that with an overhand right. Herrig steps forward and lands a combination. Karolina continues to control the center of the cage. She misses with a right and Herrig swings and misses with a counter left. Kowalkiewicz lands a knee but Herrig counters nicely with a right hand. She presses Karolina up against the cage. Felice tries to score a trip takedown but Karolina is not having it. Herrig presses Kowalkiewicz back up against the cage. Karolina breaks free and lands a right hand. Felice circles out. Karolina clinches up and lands a knee. Felice switches the position and lands a knee of her own. Good shots from both ladies while up against the cage. Herrig looks for a trip but it is not there. Karolina lands an elbow and the ladies break. Karolina dives for a leg lock but Herrig avoids and winds up in full guard. Karolina with an unbelievable sweep and winds up in mount. Karolina with some punches. Felice scrambles back to guard. Round one comes to an ends.
The strawweights are throwing here in round 1!! #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/DYLknLUL7a
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
Round two begins and Herrig finds a home for an early jab. Felice circles and fires off a kick to the body. Karolina side steps and then leaps in with a combination. “KK” with a low kick. Herrig fires off some punches but nothing finds a home. Herrig presses forward and lands a jab to the body. Kowalkiewicz counters with a left hook and then a kick to the body. Herrig continues to pump her jab. Karolina clinches up and lands a nice knee. The fighters break and then exchange elbows in the pocket. Karolina with a nice straight right hand. Herrig fires back with a shot to the body. Karolina just misses with a spinning back fist. The ladies clinch up again and Karolina lands a big elbow and then another. She pushes Felice up against the cage and then scores a trip takedown. Herrig is right back up to her feet. She breaks free of Karolina’s hold and circles out. Karolina with a right hand followed by a kick to the body. Herrig with a flurry but Karolina lands another nice knee followed by an elbow. Kowalkiewicz looks for a judo throw but it is not there. Both ladies land right hands. Karolina with a push kick. Herrig replies with a left hook. Round two comes to an end.
Round three begins and both women are happy to stand and trade leather early. Karolina with a nice right hand over the top. Herrig with a left hook. She snaps a jab in the face of Karolina. “KK” fires off a combination but nothing lands flush. Karolina with a jab to the body. Felice lands a left hook. Both women fire off leg kicks which land. Felice continues to paw with her jab. Karolina charges forward with a right hand. Felice loads up on a right that misses the mark. Karolina is coming on with the forward pressure now. Herrig lands a body kick. Karolina with a left hand over the top. Under one minute remains. Felice charges forward and pushes Karolina up against the cage. Herrig likely needs to do something big here to win. Karolina looks to break free and does. The ladies fire off punches to end the fight.
What a fight! @KarolinaMMA and @FeliceHerrig left it in there at #UFC223! pic.twitter.com/Rd8YnOWQRG
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 8, 2018