KAROLINA KOWALKIEWICZ

UFC #4 Women's Straweight

11-2-0

Fighter Info

From: Lodz Poland

Fights Out Of: Lodz Poland

Age: 32

Height: 5' 3" ( 160 cm )

Weight: 115 lb ( 52 kg )

Reach: 65"

TRAINING: These preparations aren't different than other ones for my previous fights. Usually I wake up at 8 am, have coffee, breakfast and I can take my dog Mamut for a walk. My first training session is at 10 am and I am working on my technique, strength and cardio, depending on the day. After training I am back home to eat dinner, take a walk with Mamut and have some time for myself. Evening time is training time. Depending on the day I train, I do pads, spar, run. After training is my last walk out with my dog, dinner and bed.

When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 16 I wanted to know how to protect myself, so I started training Krav Maga. From the start, I knew it is what I want to do in my life. After a few years I became a Krav Maga instructor myself. But I wanted to develop, so I started to study about martial arts and found out that the most versatile is MMA. I fell in love with that sport.

What ranks and titles have you held? The biggest success was of course being KSW champion, but I know that the biggest achievements are still ahead of me.

Do you have any heroes? My biggest idol is Martyna Wojciechowska, a very famous Polish traveler and journalist. In MMA, the first fighter that got me inspired was Cristiane Cyborg, then there were Gina Carano and finally, the amazing Ronda Rousey. I know those ladies may not like each other, but I admire and respect all of them a lot.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? When my first pro fight happened, there was no single female fighting for the UFC, so I didn't think I would be a part of the UFC in the future. When I first heard that the UFC will introduce the strawweight division, I knew I had to be a part of it. Finally, I am here but I know it is just the beginning. I know I have to put in a lot of hard work to prove myself. I cannot fully describe in words how happy I am.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I tried three times but never finished. At first, it was journalism that I studied for one year. Later, I spent a year and a half studying archeology, and finally, it was a half year of studying sports pedagogy. In fact, I was looking for a right way in my life and I found it in MMA.

What was your job before you started fighting? My last job was Krav Maga instructor in United Krav Maga.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I do not have many amateur starts in my record. Just five Muay Thai fights and three MMA bouts. My biggest success as an amateur was definitely winning the Polish Cup in Muay Thai.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I think that winning all seven pro fights is a success. The biggest one was definitely winning a KSW championship belt. I am sure that bigger success is still ahead of me.

Favorite grappling technique: None

Favorite Striking technique: I do not have favorite techniques. In MMA, every technique must be your favorite. And if you do not like some technique, you have to repeat it constantly until you like it.

• Pro since 2012

• Two wins by submission (Armbar, RNC), one by KO

• Three first round finishes