Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Strawweight rivals Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha rematched last night (Fri., July 8, 2016) at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 23 Finale inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jedrzejczyk has been dominant in each of her UFC fights, except for her first bout with Gadelha. Last night, the Polish kickboxer was looking to prove that she was firmly her foe’s superior, as well as the absolute best Strawweight yet. On the other hand, Gadelha believed that she won the first bout and is rightfully the best in the world. Opposite Jedrzejczyk, she had her chance to right that wrong and capture the strap in one fell swoop.
Immediately, Gadelha dropped her opponent with a hard jab. Jedrzejczyk managed to quickly stand, but Gadelha moved into the clinch and took her opponent down before the kickboxer could truly recover.
Nonetheless, Jedrzejczyk quickly scrambled up to her feet.
On the feet, Gadelha continued to pressure and scored another clinch throw. This time, Gadelha was able to do some considerable damage and control her opponent for a couple minutes.
Jedrzejczyk managed to get back up before the end of the round and get a few strikes off, but it was still the Brazilian’s round.
Gadelha continued her strong start into the second round, landing some hard clinch strikes before finishing a clinch takedown. Jedrzejczyk kept working in an attempt to crawl back to her feet, but Gadelha did a nice job of making her work and doing damage.
Even when Jedrzejczyk did finally manage to work back up to her feet, Gadelha hung on tight and kept punching. For a considerable amount of time, Gadelha controlled her opponent with an underhook and grapevined leg while punching with her free hand.
Once more, Gadelha’s grappling — and more specifically, clinch work — won her the round.
With both women having exerted lots of energy wrestling, the two traded in a bit of a flat-footed brawl before Gadelha scored a takedown. This time, however, Jedrzejczyk was able to scramble back to her feet and create some distance.
For much of the round, Jedrzejczyk was able to play her game, attacking with a high volume of blows and defending takedowns. Gadelha hung tough in exchanges and even stunned her opponent with an elbow, but Jedrzejczyk largely picked her apart in the third round.
It was precisely what Jedrzejczyk needed.
Jedrzejczyk kept up her attack and volume in the first of the championship rounds. Both women were tired, but Jedrzejczyk was able to find her range and get into her rhythm. Once that happened, Jedrzejczyk simply picked her opponent apart for the entire round.
The fight would be decided in the fifth, and Jedrzejczyk had all the momentum in the world.
Gadelha seemed to have recovered a bit between rounds, and she pushed forward into the clinch early. Though the Brazilian secured double underhooks, Jedrzejczyk was able to break away and return to her range.
From there, Gadelha pushed forward and threw hard punches, but she was far too exhausted to keep up with the Polish kickboxer. Jedrzejczyk’s volume was simply too much, as she rejected takedowns and landed fast punches and kicks.
And still Joanna "Champion."
Jedrzejczyk showed off every part of her game in this bout. Though Gadelha’s clinch work was too much for her early, Jedrzejczyk was able to outlast her opponent and then defend consistently. Furthermore, her kickboxing was ridiculously on point; no one can match her volume.
On a related note, Jedrzejczyk’s conditioning is incredible. She was definitely tired from all the wrestling early — which was evident in how much Gadelha was able to hit her — but Jedrzejczyk nonetheless managed to throw and land hundreds of strikes.
That’s incredibly tough to deal with.
As for Gadelha, this has to be a heartbreaking moment. If she were able to keep up the relentless clinch assault for one more round, she very likely could have won the fight. However, once she exhausted herself, she was simply a sitting duck on the feet.
That said, Gadelha did look better than ever. She may never be a kickboxer on the level of her opponent, but her hands looked better than ever and served her well. Additionally, her clinch wrestling and control were far improved.
At 27 years old, Gadelha’s championship dreams aren’t dead just yet.
Last night, Joanna Jedrzejczyk outlasted Claudia Gadelha to earn the decision victory. Can anyone take out the champion?
For complete TUF 23 Finale: "Jedrzejczyk vs Gadelha 2" results and play-by-play, click HERE!