UFC Tampa: Jedrzejczyk Strikes Way To Decision
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has moved a step closer to getting a crack at regaining the UFC women’s strawweight title she held for over two years, as she defeated Michelle Waterson in the main event of UFC Tampa.
#UFCTampa Official Result: @joannamma def Michelle Waterson by unanimous decision (50-45 x 3)
More results: https://t.co/GXV5bHV64S pic.twitter.com/TXR1Bya68u
— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 13, 2019
Leg kicks and elbows were the theme for Jedrzejczyk throughout this fight, as she continuously tagged “The Karate Hottie” from in close and stopped most of her takedown attempts.
Jedrzejczyk, in fact, started to redden and bruise Waterson’s legs with kicks in the second round, and after that bloodied her with elbows and fists on the inside in a clinch.
Waterson had her moments, however, especially in the third, when she scored two takedowns and attempted two chokes and a neck crank. Waterson got another takedown and submission attempt again in the fifth, but Jedrzejczyk easily shook those off.
Front kick lands flush for Joanna! #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/OT1JKCnaVU
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
Waterson gets the back and has the former champ in trouble! #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/HR4znu3G5p
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
Waterson’s efforts were not enough to stop Jedrzejczyk’s dominance, as “Joanna Violence” went on to get a unanimous decision with scores of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46.
Other highlights from Tampa included Cub Swanson and Kron Gracie battling in a classic striker vs. grappler battle that entertained, and Niko Price scoring a devastating upkick knockout of James Vick.
What a fight!#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/l6wGcFkvfb
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
UPKICK KNOCKOUT!!#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/yGCqmq42CW
— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019
UFC Tampa Main Card (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Michelle Waterson via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Cub Swanson def. Kron Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Niko Price def. James Vick via KO (Rd. 1, 1:44)
Amanda Ribas def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Matt Frevola def. Luis Pena via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Eryk Anders def. Gerald Meerscheart via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Tampa Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
Ryan Spann def. Devin Clark via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 2, 2:01)
Mike Davis def. Thomas Gifford via KO (Rd. 3, 4:45)
Alex Morono def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Tim Elliott via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:08)
Marlon Vera def. Andre Ewell via TKO (via Rd. 3, 3:17)
Miguel Baeza def. Hector Aldana via TKO (Rd. 2, 2:32)
Marvin Vettori def. Andrew Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
JJ Aldrich def. Lauren Mueller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)