And still… but not without resistance.
In the most hostile grudge match of international fight week, Joanna Jędrzejczyk retained her UFC strawweight title in tireless style after a five round war with rival Claudia Gadelha on Friday night.
The Polish champion was forced to come from behind to get her hand raised, dropping the first two rounds to Gadelha’s pressure and explosive grappling.
No. Time. Wasted. @ClaudiaGadelha_ drops the champion seconds in!!!!! #TUFFinale https://t.co/wMgmygMce7
— #TUFFinale (@ufc) July 9, 2016
Jędrzejczyk turned it on in round three though as she shook the lactic acid from her arms and started finding a home for her laser-guided jab.
As is her tendency, flurries followed the opening strike and bit by bit, Gadelha wore out.
What a combo by @JoannaMMA! What a fight! What a performance! Why are my hands so sweaty?!?! https://t.co/ixdz9yKtwL
— #TUFFinale (@ufc) July 9, 2016
Jędrzejczyk upped her output considerably in the final two rounds and outworked her Brazilian foe to a unanimous nod on the scorecards, 18 months since taking a split decision from Gadelha.
And there were very few people left unimpressed by the cardio-driven gut check from the champion.
I've said it once and l say it again that she baaaaadddd🏆 #TUF23Finale
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) July 9, 2016
@joannamma you are a straight G!!! @UFC #AndStill @affliction #ufc #ufctuffinale @UrijahFaber what u looking at!?😳 pic.twitter.com/sHfLHQPoU1
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) July 9, 2016
Congratulations @joannamma amazing performance! Striking on point as usual 👌🏽👊🏽 @UFC #andstill
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) July 9, 2016
What a title fight #TUF23Finale awesome striking @ufc
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) July 9, 2016
And still. Queen of Cardio rallied from first two rounds to take last three, last two utterly dominating. #TUF23Finale
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) July 9, 2016
#ANDSTILL! That was an incredible war! @joannamma
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) July 9, 2016
Joanna Champion!!!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) July 9, 2016
WHAT A FIGHT! #TUFFinale #UFC
— Thiago Silva (@ThiagoSilva_MMA) July 9, 2016
Joanna has that true savage ❤️ that very few have. I dig this shit! Big fan of the terminator! #TrueFighter#TUF23Finale#TUFFinale
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) July 9, 2016
Joanna tho!!! 😳😀 Most exciting female @ufc fighter of all time (by far). Whoa!! 😀😳😀😳#TUF23Finale #TUFFinale
— Johnny Hollywood ジョニーケース (@HollywoodCase) July 9, 2016
That's how you fight! From now on that's how you fight #TUF23Finale 👊
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) July 9, 2016
The champ bringing it home
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) July 9, 2016
Joanna is really like the Polish terminator. She's just always in your face. No room to breathe with her. She's too lit!! #TUFFinale
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 9, 2016
