UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley – Rose Namajunas vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz Toe to Toe Preview

Rose Namajunas and Karolina Kowalkiewicz settle the score to potentially fight Joanna Jedrzejzcyk this July 30, 2016 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

One sentence summary:

Phil: Furiosa fights a pole cat.

David: Strawweight’s war of the roses now has its own Rose of war.

Stats

Record: Rose Namajunas 5-2 Karolina Kowalkiewicz 9-0

Odds: Rose Namajunas -210 Karolina Kowalkiewicz +175

History / Introduction to both fighters

David: Namajunas began her career with a lot of potential, but no polish. When she lost to Carla Esparza, I was skeptical she’d get far in the division because her offense, while versatile, was aimless. I don’t remember my exact words, but I always fall back on my prior description, of Rose fighting like a 12 year old playing a Street Fighter hooked up intravenously to Red Bull. Since then she’s ditched the Red Bull but not the Street Fighter. With a more measured, but still violent attack, Furiosa is looking very much like a contender.

Phil: What kept me a bit down on Rose long-term was that she fitted so neatly into a style archetype which always runs into problems, namely the dreaded kick-grappler. It tends to cap out just late enough that the fighter is set in their ways, and unable to make a significant shift. Instead, after getting handled by Carla Esparza, Namajunas has transformed into a stone-cold killer. The wild child who flipped out after her flying armbar win in Invicta is gone, at least in the cage.

David: Finally a Polish fighter with elegantly placed vowels. Kowalkiewicz is a pleasant surprise. I don’t think we really expected her to exit the KSW and enter the UFC with much success, but she’s maintained a spotless record while raising the Polish fighting scene’s awareness.

Phil: One of the things which makes 115 fun is the variety of styles represented. As an approximate analogue on the men’s side, 135 is extremely fun but also massively over-loaded with the style of “reasonably tall power punchers.” Kowalkiewicz’ place in the division seems almost guaranteed already- she slots into an available niche as the likable, tough Bisping. No massive technical flaws, keeps a great pace, but her lack of power and athleticism will likely keep her out of the top spot.

What’s at stake?

David: I mean, this is pretty much a showcase fight. I think Tecia Torres is better than Karolina (though she offers a different threat/dimension), and stylistically, it favors Rose in a big way. And that’s what the UFC wants: Rose against Jedrzejczyk.

Phil: I think it’s a tough fight to be honest. If they wanted to give Namajunas a layup they’d be giving her one of the grapplers in the division, but Kowalkiewicz is going to test Rose’s boxing game, which has only recently matured.

Where do they want it?

David: Rose has a veritable treasure trove of flesh weapons. Wait, that sounds weird. Rose has a veritable treasure trove of epidermal siege weapons. Still sounds weird, but between knees you could …

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