Markos vs. Kowalkiewicz

This is the official discussion thread for Markos vs. Kowalkiewicz. Let's see what you've got.

Never see Karolina fight. Have to go with a somewhat proven commodity.

Such a hard fight to pick.  Both fighters are really good.  I'm so excited for this fight.

@Griffy in response to your post in the VanZant/Calderwood thread, this should be a great fight! I'm glad Markos is finally getting back in the octagon, and I think she'll be too much for Karolina, especially now that she's training out of Tristar. 

This fight!!!!!!!! Super steep debut for Karolina, Markos may be the most underrated fighter in MMA. I love Randa but am pulling for my boo (even though I have a feeling Randa beats her).

I love Randa too, she looks like a soccer mom but she's a damn good fighter, seems to be a bit more cut than she was during her TUF days.

* Edited at 10.08.2015, 9:16 AM ET *

Karolina is very good, but she is coming off two split decision wins, both of which I thought she lost, so she could be debuting under better circumstances. Randa is the most underrated fighter in the division and I think it's too much for a debut. 

This is like choosing your favourite child!? How the hell am I meant to pick this!?

Witam, myślę ,że Karolina Kowalkiewicz , sobie poradzi i wygra to przez poddanie :) oby tak było #WarrrKarolina !:) 

KK definitely has the advantage on the feet, but is lacking KO power needed to knockout Markos; with that said we have seen the type of damage Markos can take - so I doubt KK will KO Markos.. Markos has the advantage on the ground, wrestling is the biggest weakness for KK. When it comes to cardio, I would say both fighters are dead even; most of their fights go to the judges - so we may see a war of attrition here and whoever wants it more will come out victorious.

KK does push the pace more; so what I see happening is, KK letting the punches fly in Round 1, Markos is by no mean quick on the feet and at times, seems to need a round to get into the rhythm of things, so this will be KK's best opportunity to win. Round 2 and Round 3, Markos will get in close and grab onto KK, she will take this to the ground and grind her out. I am not familiar with KK's submission defence, but I think it will be enough to stop Markos' submission attempts. Something that Markos has done in everyone of her fights (be it a win or loss) is get to the full mount. So expect it here too. If KK can't get out of it, then we may have a late TKO from Markos.

With Markos' size advantage and KK's weaker ground game I am going to pick Markos via Rd 3 TKO or dec - I haven't decided yet.

However, the biggest factor going into this fight is... how much Markos has improved since joining Tristar? That we will have to wait and see.

WaRanda!

Takedowns and snuggling

I was impressed with how Kowalkiewicz looked when she ended up on top of Randa on the ground in round 3. If she could develop her offensive wrestling more her ground game would be a strength for her I think and not an issue.

I was really impressed with Karolina here. I knew she'd have a big advantage on the feet, and I knew she had good grappling from a defensive stand-point, but I was really surprised with what she was able to do to a fighter like Randa Markos when on top.

Wonder where she goes from here. This is a big win. 

* Edited at 12.20.2015, 4:53 PM ET *

People are suggesting Thug Rose next for Karolina. Big step up, especially considering Namajunas' last fight against Paige. I favor Rose in that fight if she fights as smart as she did against PVZ. Your thoughts?

I would probably give her Tecia next. 

* Edited at 12.20.2015, 4:58 PM ET *

I'd enjoy Jędrzejczyk vs Kowalkiewicz just for people having to pronounce those names.

I legitimately would pay to see that fight tomorrow. But I think if they let Karolina fight 2-4 more times beforehand, she has a legit shot to take the belt.

No idea why so many people are trying to push the fight against Joanna on Karolina. Not only is she quite far from the title shot (only one UFC win and worthier challengers), but also there is a rather large skill difference between them. Sure, she outclassed Randa, but that was pretty obvious. If she fought Joanna the result would be the same as when the first time they fought, except under the Unified Rules it would most likely be far more brutal.