Karolina Kowalkiewicz Set for Crucial UFC Rio Showdown: Veteran Faces Rising Star Polastri in Bid to Reclaim Momentum
As the UFC gears up for its highly anticipated return to Brazil this weekend, Polish strawweight stalwart Karolina Kowalkiewicz is preparing for what could be a defining moment in her storied career. The 39-year-old former title challenger will step into the Octagon on Saturday, October 11, at UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro, where she’ll clash with 27-year-old Brazilian prospect Julia Polastri in a matchup that pits experience against youthful hunger.
Kowalkiewicz, who burst onto the UFC scene in 2015 as an undefeated phenom, enters the bout on the heels of a challenging stretch. After stringing together four consecutive victories from 2022 to 2023—defeating veterans like Felice Herrig and Vanessa Demopoulos—she suffered back-to-back losses in 2024 to Denise Gomes and Iasmin Lucindo. Her most recent defeat came via unanimous decision against Lucindo at UFC 301 in Rio earlier this year, a bout that highlighted the Brazilian’s aggressive striking but also reignited Kowalkiewicz’s resolve.
“It’s time to change that,” Kowalkiewicz declared in a recent social media post, reflecting on her mixed history in Brazil. The fighter, who trains with a predominantly Brazilian team, has fought in the country twice before: a unanimous decision win over Claudia Gadelha at UFC 212 in 2017 and the aforementioned loss at UFC 301.
“Brazil has always been unlucky for me… but I love it here. This is my chance to turn the page.” With a professional record of 14-7, Kowalkiewicz’s blend of technical striking, relentless cardio, and improved grappling could prove decisive if she weathers Polastri’s early pressure.
Her opponent, Julia Polastri, represents the next wave of Brazilian talent flooding the UFC’s 115-pound division. The 27-year-old, who debuted in the promotion in 2024, has gone 1-2 in her Octagon appearances, with her lone victory coming against an opponent who withdrew mid-fight due to illness—a quirky footnote that’s drawn some skepticism from bettors.
Polastri’s most recent loss was a decision to a ranked contender earlier this year, but her explosive power and home-crowd advantage at Rio’s iconic Farmasi Arena could make her a live underdog. Early betting lines list Polastri as a -400 favorite, though analysts like those at MMA RAX urge caution, calling the matchup a “stay away” due to Kowalkiewicz’s veteran savvy.
This fight, slotted for the preliminary card, adds intrigue to a stacked UFC Rio lineup headlined by a lightweight barnburner between Charles Oliveira and Mateusz Gamrot—another Polish fighter Kowalkiewicz will share the spotlight with during “fight week.” Fans on X (formerly Twitter) are buzzing about the Polish contingent, with one user posting, “Mateusz Gamrot & Karolina Kowalkiewicz fight week! 🇵🇱 … eyes of all Polish fans will be on Brazil.”
For Kowalkiewicz, a win over Polastri isn’t just about snapping her skid; it’s a statement of longevity in a division dominated by younger phenoms like Weili Zhang and the surging Amanda Lemos. At 39, she’s defying the narrative that women’s MMA has a short shelf life, drawing parallels to icons like Joanna Jędrzejczyk, whom she challenged for the strawweight title at UFC 205 in 2016. That epic five-round war, which she lost by unanimous decision, remains one of her career highlights and earned her Fight of the Night honors.
Prelims for UFC Fight Night: Oliveira vs. Gamrot kick off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the main card following at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. As Rio’s passionate crowds fill the arena, all eyes will be on whether Kowalkiewicz can channel her underdog spirit to deliver a performance worthy of her legacy—or if Polastri’s flair will steal the show in front of her home fans.
