Iasmin Lucindo Secures Dominant Victory over Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 301

05 May 2024

In a compelling matchup at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, former UFC strawweight title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz aimed to extend her recent winning streak against Iasmin Lucindo.

Kowalkiewicz, who notably challenged Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the strawweight title in 2016, had faced adversity with a five-fight losing streak before making a remarkable resurgence with four consecutive victories, defying earlier speculations of retirement.

The fight unfolded with Lucindo, an unranked opponent, asserting her presence early, landing a significant strike that appeared to impact Kowalkiewicz's eye. As the bout progressed, Lucindo utilized effective clinch work, locking in a guillotine and delivering knee strikes while controlling Kowalkiewicz against the fence.

Despite Kowalkiewicz's resilience, Lucindo's dominance continued into the second round, showcasing superior striking accuracy and speed. Lucindo capitalized on exchanges with crisp counters and varied combinations, leaving Kowalkiewicz struggling to mount effective offense.

Round three witnessed Lucindo maintaining her momentum, dictating the pace against the fence and demonstrating control throughout the fight. With a commanding performance, Lucindo secured a unanimous decision victory, affirming her dominance in the octagon.

The judges' scorecards reflected Lucindo's clear advantage, with scores of 30-27 across the board in her favor.

Following her impressive win, Lucindo now boasts three victories in the UFC and is poised to ascend in the divisional rankings. Her strategic and skillful performance at UFC 301 underscores her rising status as a notable contender in the strawweight division.

The outcome of the bout solidifies Lucindo's position as a rising star in the UFC strawweight division, setting the stage for future matchups and potential rankings adjustments in the coming weeks.