The main event of the Ultimate Fighter 23 finale featured champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk defending the UFC Women’s Strawweight title against top contender Claudia Gadelha.
The first time they fought, Joanna Jedrzejczyk got her hand raised in a great three-round fight with Claudia Gadelha.
This time, the women’s strawweight champion Jedrzejczyk got her arm raised after a great five-round fight. And just like the first time, both women had their moments in what was a great main event at Friday night’s Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.
The Polish champ withstood early trouble through the first two rounds, and began to turn the tide in the third round. With Gadelha fading as the fight went on, Jedrzejczyk was just getting rolling. She showcased her precise striking stills well into the championship rounds in dominating Gadehla down the stretch.
Jedrzejczyk (12-0) proved that she has the heart of a champion by taking home a unanimous decision victory (48-46, 48-45, 48-46).
Official Result: Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeated Claudia Gadelha by Unanimous Decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-47)
Play-By-Play
Round 1 – Jedrzejczyk pumps her jab to open. Gadelha lands first with a stiff shot, and Jedrzejczyk hits the deck. She pops up, but Gadelha mvoes inside and pushes her to the floor. Butterfly guard for Jedrzejczyk. She turns to her knees and is able to crawl to her feet, backing up to the cage. Gadelha wants to keep her tight, but Jedrzejczyk circles off the fence. Gadelha turns again and they break. Shots fired from both in the pocket. Gadelha pushes inside and presses it again to the cage. Gadelha has the body tied, and she muscles the champ to the floor. Jedrzejczyk works to her knees and then her feet. Right hand inside from Jedrzejczyk, and Gadelha backs away. Gadelha looks a little tired already. Jedrzejczyk flashing out quick punches. Front kick to the face from Jedrzejczyk. Big punches traded. The trade shots until the bell. MMAjunkie gives it Gadelha, 10-9.
Round 2 – Gadelha out to the center, and both fighters start to trade. Gadelha moves inside and pushes Jedrzejczyk to the fence. She pulls back and punches before clinching again. Jedrzejczyk tries to slip off the fence, but Gadelha has her wrapped and drags the action to the canvas. Jedrzejczyk in a seated position, but Gadelha traps the right leg and punches away, landing flush several times. Jedrzejczyk wisely works hard to get out of a really bad spot. She does get to her feet, but Gadelha stays in the clinch and keeps the action tight. Jedrzejczyk scoring inside in the clinch, but she’s on defense for most of the time. Elbows from Jedrzejczyk, as Gadelha looks for the takedown. Gadelha looks for the trip, but Jedrzejczyk reverses with the switch. However, Gadelha scrambles and rolls to get back to the dominant spot. Jedrzejczyk crawls again to the feet, but Gadelha not giving her any room to work. They break in the final seconds, and Jedrzejczyk does land a few kicks to the body. Still, MMAjunkie gives it to Gadelha, 10-9.
Round 3 – They meet again in the center. Gadelha throwing with power, and she lands a left and a right. But Jedrzejczyk moving well on her feet, and she fires rapid punches. Gadelha dives inside with a takedown. Jedrzejczyk right back up. Gadelha with another trip. Jedrzejczyk with the switch, but Gadelha again just rolls right through to get the top. Jedrzejczyk will not stay on her back, but she is defending most of the time. Jedrzejczyk pushes away to get some space and lands a big elbow. Gadelha starting to retreat a bit. Jedrzejczyk seems to still bounce lightly, and she’s finding some rhythm. Gadelha has to rush forward for a takedown. She gets it, but Jedrzejczyk quickly up to her knees. She spins around and lands a big punch. Gadelha falls to her back, but Jedrzejczyk walks away and emphatically tells her to rise. Punches traded inside. Big shot from Gadelha sees Jedrzejczyk buckle. She recovers and comes back with several elbows inside. Gadelha looks exhausted. Big left from Gadelha, but MMAjunkie gives it Jedrzejczyk, 10-9.
Round 4 – Jedrzejczyk flurries to open. She’s definitely the fresher fighter. Combinations flying from range. Switching stances and landing straight punches. Gadelha sitting on the outside and looking to slip under the strikes, but she’s lost some zip. Jedrzejczyk starting to kick the legs a bit, as well. After a rough start, she’s gaining confidence. She’s also flashing speed and movement that Gadelha simply can’t match. Gadelha moves into the clinch. She lands a left hand, but Jedrzejczyk is the one with the volume right now. Every time Jedrzejczyk throws, it’s a combination. Gadelha too tired to really slip and counter. She does land a nice right, but Jedrzejczyk comes back and lands one of her own. Jedrzejczyk brimming with confidence. Jedrzejczyk flashes out a high kick. Gadelha is fading bad. Jedrzejczyk working all levels. Big elbow from Jedrzejczyk. Another scores. Gadelha has nothing for Jedrzejczyk right now. Round ends, and MMAjunkie gives it to Jedrzejczyk, 10-9.
Round 5 – Jedrzejczyk offers a touch of gloves, and Gadelha begrudgingly accepts. Jedrzejczyk so fresh right now. Gadelha going to have to dig deep. She does look a little fresher, and she presses the action to the cage. Jedrzejczyk with a wide sprawl. Gadelha stays tight. They trade elbows, and Jedrzejczyk switches off the fence. Back into the center. Gadelha walking forward. Jedrzejczyk pumping out her jab. Jedrzejczyk with the long front kick. Gadelha drives in again, but Jedrzejczyk easily turns her and presses to the fence. Jedrzejczyk on the outside. Gadelha trying desperately for the takedown, but it won’t come. Jedrzejczyk turns, and Gadelha again falls to her back and tries to grab her opponent. Jedrzejczyk pulls away. One minute left. Jedrzejczyk flashing out her jab. She’s so quick Gadelhas face busted up. She’s pushing, but the champ is just too much. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Jedrzejczyk, 10-9, and awards her the fight 48-47.?
source: mmajunkie.com
