3. Queen Joanna’s Rein Will be Lengthy (-355)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be UFC Strawweight Champion for as long as she is in her athletic prime. Look up and down the strawweight division and there is nobody that can be considered a threat to her.
So far in her MMA career, the only time she almost lost was in her first fight against Claudia Gadelha, and their second fight proved that Joanna is evolving at a rate faster than the rest of the division. The problems Gadelha gave Joanna in their first fight were no longer as much of a problem in the second. Bottom line is that Joanna is already the best, and she gets better every fight.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz has a professional MMA record of 10W-0L, and Joanna has a pro MMA record of 12W-0L. Considering both fighters are undefeated, many will be surprised to know that these two have actually fought before, only it was when they were both amateurs. In 2012 they met in a bout in Poland, it was Karolina’s first amateur bout and Joanna’s second, little did they know that 4 years later they would meet for the most prestigious title in their weight division. In that bout Joanna submitted Karolina in the first round.
Karolina’s record is a little deceiving as well. While she is undefeated, 3 of those victories were via split decision, including her last bout with “Thug” Rose Namajunas. She’s also only finished 3 of her 10 opponents, which is not the greatest sign, though not the worst either.
Joanna may be a -355 favourite in this fight, but that’s actually quite generous. Put a large amount on Joanna and you’ll get a medium amount back. Again though, this is MMA so there is always a risk.
