Karolina Kowalkiewicz put on a calm, calculated performance to overcome a spirited effort from Heather Jo Clark in the opening bout at UFC Fight Night 87 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
From the start, it was obvious that Clark's plan was to push the pace to keep the favored Kowalkiewicz from establishing a rhythm. Kowalkiewicz kept her composure throughout and she eventually pulled ahead in the standup, in the clinch, and on the mat to earn a unanimous decision win.
The Polish fighter's cool demeanor was evident at the start of the third as she chilled against the cage while waiting for the referee's signal:
Sérieux, elle fait comment ?#UFCRotterdam pic.twitter.com/fs3uK6oteT
— Karolyne D. Leblanc (@KarolyneDL_RDS) May 8, 2016
The best moments of the fight belonged to Kowalkiewicz.
She threatened with an arm bar to close the second, and also finished strong in the third with a flurry of punches to Clark's face.
Clark faced numerous challenges heading into her strawweight bout with Kowalkiewicz. She had not fought since December 2014 and this was also her first time fighting outside of the United States.
Kowalkiewicz remains undefeated at 9-0, earning her second straight win since joining the UFC.
