UFC 228’s co-main event saw what most assume was a women’s strawweight title eliminator, with a big win for Jessica Andrade via knockout. On a night where an Ultimate Fighter winner also made a big statement at strawweight, was it enough?
Going into UFC 228, Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz were on two fight winning streaks, and one had to figure that their fight was a number one contender bout. The pair were bumped up to co-main event status in the wake of Nicco Montano being forced off the card. Karolina had already beaten the champion Rose, and a win here would absolutely get her the rematch for the title. Andrade? She had been a beast at strawweight, overcoming all but Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Kowalkiewicz no doubt had high hopes of meeting ‘Thug Rose’ for the second time. However those plans were dashed after a big win by Jessica Andrade, and a stunning knockout.
It wasn’t just the knockout that was stunning, however. Jessica Andrade ran across the octagon off the opening bell looking like Wanderlei Silva circa 2004. She immediately hurt Karolina, landing big hands and winging punches. Andrade took a few shots as well, but it was Kowalkiewicz getting the brunt of the beating. However Karolina would go on to survive past the first minute, despite taking a lot of damage in that short span. Despite doing her best to survive, though, the Polish fighter would go on to get knocked out with a giant right hand. Less than two minutes in, and Jessica Andrade had made a huge statement.
ONE PUNCH! @JessicaMMApro #UFC228 pic.twitter.com/CLsNFVFmgQ
— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2018
One has to figure that after such a giant win and impressive knockout, she’ll get the title shot against the champion Rose Namajunas next. The win came at the perfect time, as Tatiana Suarez made a big statement earlier on the UFC 228 card with her victory over Carla Esparza. However, it would be hard to deny Andrade another shot at gold after her performance in the co-main event.
Jessica Andrade def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by knockout, Round 1, 1:58
