Karolina Kowalkiewicz (16-7-0), sits at number 13 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings and is not as explosive or as agile as the other prospects. However, her skills in Krav Maga and Muay Thai are something to be wary of. Hailing from Poland, Kowalkiewicz is currently rocking a four-fight win streak. She has won three fights by submission, one with an armbar and two with rear-naked chokes. She also has one knockout win under her belt. Furthermore, the Polish fighter also flaunts three first-round finishes.

With 16 UFC fights under her belt, the former KSW flyweight champion still seems determined to grow as a professional fighter. With her next fight coming up against Iasmin Lucindo at UFC 301, Rio de Janeiro, Kowalkiewicz’s story is destined to evolve. 

What is Karolina Kowalkiewicz’s base in MMA?

‘The Polish Princess’ began her training in self-defense right from the age of 16. As soon as her training in Krav Maga commenced, she knew what she wanted to become as she grew older. And it was, of course, to choose professional fighting as the career. Even though she became an instructor for Krav Maga, her hunger to be better introduced her to the realm of mixed martial arts. Needless to say, she fell in love with the versatility of MMA.

Krav Maga itself can be called a mixed martial art since it contains extracts from arguably the most effective martial arts forms and techniques, originally designed for the Israeli Army. However, it has been extensively sought after as one of the best self-defense arts. In Krav Maga, offense and defense happen simultaneously. Comprising of strikes, takedowns, groundwork, and submissions, it is indeed a martial art that could do some serious damage inside the Octagon.

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However, just one trick in the arsenal does not look pretty for a mixed martial artist. Hence, Kowalkiewicz also expanded her domain towards boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, and wrestling. “This is MMA so I feel good with striking, kicking, wrestling, BJJ – I train everything. So for me everything is OK,” the 38-year-old once revealed.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz’s fighting style

Although she has been training for quite some time now, how does Kowalkiewicz actually fight? Unfortunately, she has been labeled as an average fighter by many. In her previous fights against Diana Belbita and Vanessa Demopoulos, the Polish fighter, though outclassed in terms of athleticism, won the fights by maintaining constant movements, and overwhelming her opponents with continuous blows. Despite losing at the hands of Alexa Grasso, Kowalkiewicz made sure she put forth a competitive display. 

Kowalkiewicz unequivocally has a massive arsenal. She likes to circle and keep changing her stance. The constant incoming barrage of attacks mentally exhausts the one on the opposite corner. This allows her to bring her opponent into a clinch, following which, Kowalkiewicz gains a technical advantage. But replacing striking strength with mere volume isn’t enough. With her tenacity, durability, and aggression, Kowalkiewicz makes up for what she lacks in agility and explosiveness.

However, this comes with a drawback. Kowalkiewicz needs to lead the fight. If she can’t dictate the procession, her lacunas get exposed. Additionally, if the opponent gets out of the clinch easily, she is bound to become a problem for the Polish warrior. One of her fights against Claudia Gadelha is often used to demonstrate her inferior counter-game and inexistent head movement. As soon as her opponents get to know of her weakness, they take control and finish her, just as Gadelha did.

Although constant movements and stance shifts confuse her opponents, Kowalkiewicz incorporates them just to avoid revealing the truth about her footwork. Instead of pivoting, or siding, she deploys shifts in her stance to move out of a place. Under pressure, she moves in a straight line, thereby allowing her opponents to take control and out-position her. This was evident in her fight against Joanna Jędrzejczyk. 

Nevertheless, her victories in the UFC ensure that ‘The Polish Princess’ knows how to handle herself in a fight. But only time can tell how she would fare against Iasmin Lucindo, in her upcoming fight at UFC 301.