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Joanna Jedrzejczyk Meets Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 205 in Strawweight Defense

Nathan McCarter@McCarterNX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 23, 2016

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08:  Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland poses for a portrait after her victory over Claudia Gadelha during The Ultimate Fighter Finale event at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 8, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Todd Lussier/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Todd Lussier/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

A second title fight has been added to UFC 205, and it’s full of consonants.

Strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk (12-0) will defend her belt for the fourth time when she meets Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-0) in New York's Madison Square Garden. FloCombat's Jim Edwards broke the news, which was later confirmed by ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto.

UFC @ufc

BREAKING: @JoannaMMA defends her belt against @KarolinaMMA, @MieshaTate returns to take on @RockyPMMA at #UFC205! ➡️ https://t.co/2v5wjVlDKV https://t.co/Yv0jM6RAF2

Both women have been on the record about wanting to be on this event.

Jedrzejczyk called to be on the Madison Square Garden event after defending her title against Claudia Gadelha in July. Per Sherdog’s Tristen Critchfield, Jedrzejczyk mentioned New York’s sizable Polish community as one reason she wanted to be on the fight card.

Kowalkiewicz expressed her interest for a spot on the card following her UFC 201 win over Rose Namajunas (h/t MMAjunkie).

UFC’s Megan Olivi conducted the backstage interview in which Kowalkiewicz stated that the title shot in New York was her “big dream.”

Now it is on.

Jedrzejczyk has made waves as the strawweight champion. Her blistering speed in the stand-up and ruthless aggression make her a fan favorite.

Kowalkiewicz has made her run to the title quickly through three straight UFC wins. She debuted last December against Randa Markos and has shown off excellent, well-rounded skills in each of her performances.

Now the Poland vs. Poland bout is signed. The 115-pound figurehead will remain Polish, but the title may change hands in New York City.

The UFC has not finalized the UFC 205 fight card or released a bout order. Also on the card: Tyron Woodley defends the welterweight title for the first time against Stephen Thompson, Donald Cerrone meets Kelvin Gastelum and Rashad Evans makes his middleweight debut against Tim Kennedy.

The addition of Jedrzejczyk vs. Kowalkiewicz adds to the depth and excitement surrounding UFC 205.