Jedrzejczyk outlasts Gadelha in instant classic to retain UFC strawweight title
In a rematch for the ages, Joanna Jedrzejczyk triumphed over Claudia Gadelha to successfully defend the UFC strawweight title for a third straight time at the "Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale" on Friday in Las Vegas.
Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha went back-and-forth for 25 dramatic minutes, with Jedrzejczyk pulling away in the championship rounds to take a unanimous decision with scores of 48-46, 48-46, and 48-45.
#AndStill Joanna Jedrzejczyk venceu Claudia Gadelha por decisão unânime mantendo o cinturão peso-palha no #TUF23 pic.twitter.com/50XKv5akYv
— Superman_Punch (@supermanp_am) July 9, 2016
The victory moved Jedrzejczyk to 6-0 in the UFC, 12-0 in her professional career, and extended her record for the most strawweight wins in UFC history.
Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha first fought in December 2014 before Jedrzejczyk became the queen at 115 pounds. Since then, Jedrzejczyk has established herself as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world, while Gadelha stayed on track for a rematch by defeating Jessica Aguilar.
After trading insults as coaches on TUF 23, the two settled their longstanding beef in a thrilling bout that ranks among the best of 2016.
The first round was all Gadelha. She clipped Jedrzejczyk with a jab in the first 10 seconds, then pressed her advantage with a takedown. Jedrzejczyk's grappling defense helped her to reset their position, but Gadelha scored a second takedown to go up 10-9.
Gadelha's wrestling advantage served her well in Round 2, where she once again grounded Jedrzejczyk. With the champion pinned against the fence, Gadelha was free to hold her there and land several short punches.
¡Hasta @TheNotoriousMMA se puso de pie! Qué combate por el título... #UFCenFD #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/3unpTbecMB
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) July 9, 2016
Undeterred by yet another takedown in the third, Jedrzejczyk recovered and started to open up with her striking while Gadelha visibly tired.
Some action from round 3 of Joanna J vs Gadelha!#MMA #MMAhypewatch#UFC #UFCFightWeek #TUF23Finale #BJJ pic.twitter.com/wsmhwbpwVq
— MMA Hype Watch (@MMAHWatch) July 9, 2016
#TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/HbffMF3tuX
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) July 9, 2016
If Gadelha owned the first two rounds, the opposite was true of frames four and five, as Jedrzejczyk put on one of the striking clinics that have become her trademark.
Punches, elbows, and kicks rained down upon Gadelha, leaving no doubt who the champion would be when the scorecards were read.
Despite Gadelha's best effort, she suffered the second loss of her career, both coming at the hands of Jedrzejczyk.
Post-fight, Jedrzejczyk called for an opportunity to fight at the UFC's New York debut in November.