Joanna Jedrzejczyk outlasts Claudia Gadelha in five-round instant classic
LAS VEGAS — Joanna Jedrzejczyk solidified her spot as the best strawweight on the planet after dispatching top challenger Claudia Gadelha by unanimous decision in what may go down as one of the best fights of 2016.
The two rivals battled throughout an entire season of "The Ultimate Fighter" before finally meeting in the Octagon for the finale on Friday night.
The bout was a rematch of a three-round fight in 2014 in which Jedrzejczyk eked out a decision win over Gadelha just before she became champion.
The loss never sat well with Gadelha and she looked for revenge in the rematch — and nearly captured the title in the opening round of the 25-minute championship affair.
During an early exchange, Gadelha dropped Jedrzejczyk with a quick, stinging left hook that sent the champion to the ground in a surprise knockdown as the crowd inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena ripped up in applause.
Call her Joanna Violence/Joanna Champion/Joanna Jedrzejczyk...just make sure to call her #AndStill #TUFFinale https://t.co/aI0BlP0Gu4
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 9, 2016
Gadelha swarmed on the champion as she looked to take advantage of the flash knockdown, but Jedrzejczyk recovered quickly and got back to her feet.
Unfortunately, Jedrzejczyk couldn't find a home for her punches with Gadelha staying just out of range, and those misses ended with the champion getting planted on the mat with a series of takedowns through the first two rounds.
Gadelha looked in control, but as the third round got under way it was clear that the top-ranked contender's gas tank was starting to run low, and Jedrzejczyk was just getting warmed up.
With the Brazilian challenger fading, Jedrzejczyk opened up an assault on the feet with quick, powerful combinations that busted open Gadelha's nose and mouth. Gadelha did her best to stick in the pocket, but each time she got stuck in an exchange, Jedrzejczyk unloaded with a barrage.
Jedrzejczyk stayed calm even when putting Gadelha on the mat and kept motioning for her opponent to get up so she could continue her assault on the feet.
From hard inside elbows to a couple of hard head kicks, Jedrzejczyk took over and with each passing minute, she knew that the championship was going home to Poland with her when this night was over.
After five hard-fought rounds, the judges returned scores of 48-46, 48-46 and 48-45 all in favor of Jedrzejczyk, who retains her title for the third consecutive time.
"I feel great. I knew she was going to give me a great fight. Like I said after our first fight, she's No. 1 (contender). I am the champion and I have so much respect for her," Jedrzejczyk said after the win.
Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha engaged in a bitter feud ever since their first fight, and that rivalry only grew in intensity over the course of "The Ultimate Fighter" season 23. Following the rematch, Jedrzejczyk actually apologized to Gadelha for the ugly exchanges they shared over the past couple of years and the two warriors hugged before leaving the Octagon.
Jedrzejczyk improved to 12-0 overall and 6-0 in her UFC career with another title defense under her belt. She also had a request for her next fight.
"It is my dream to fight at MGM Grand," Jedrzejczyk said. "Now I want to fight in New York. Madison Square Garden. See you there, guys."
The UFC will hold its first event in New York at MSG on Saturday, Nov. 12.
