LAS VEGAS – Sacrifice and changes: Karolina Kowalkiewicz made plenty of them ahead of her bout at UFC Fight Night 207.
In the roughest stretch of her career and with her back potentially up against the wall, Kowalkiewicz (13-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) proved the sacrifices and changes worth it when Saturday she submitted Felice Herrig (14-10 MMA, 5-5 UFC) in Round 2 of their strawweight bout at the UFC Apex.
“I feel amazing I won this fight,” Kowalkiewicz told MMA Junkie and other reporters teary-eyed at a post-fight news conference. “I’m back. I’m back. It’s great.”
The most profound life change ahead of this fight was an up-and-move across the world, from her usual training grounds of her home country Poland to Coconut Creek, Fla., and American Top Team.
“Before this fight, I changed everything,” Kowalkiewicz said. “I knew this was my last chance to do something. I left my family, my dogs in Poland. I came to ATT in Florida. I spent two months alone without my friends, my family, my husband, my dogs. I trained with Coach Parrumpa and with Coach Anderson. I trusted them and now I won my fight.”
Why did Kowalkiewicz choose American Top Team for her relocation? It’s a funny story, actually, which involves a former multi-time opponent, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who is a longtime member of the South Florida powerhouse.
“It was a hard decision, but I knew it would be good for me,” Kowalkiewicz said. “… Joanna helped me to organize this whole fight camp. J.J., thank you very much. I am here because of you. This winning is teamwork.”
The victory snapped a five-fight losing skid for Kowalkiewicz, who hadn’t won a bout since April 2018. While mentally the lengthy skid was a hurdle, Kowalkiewicz ultimately determined she would continue to follow her dreams as her passion is evergreen.
“It’s easy to love this sport when you are champion, when you’re winning your fights,” Kowalkiewicz said. “But when you start losing, when you lose, one, two, three fights, and you still love it, it means you are still a real martial artist. I’m a martial artist. I love MMA. I love UFC. I love to be a part of UFC. This is my home. What can I say? This is my home.”
