Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Jessica Andrade In The Works For UFC 228

A new number one contender for Rose Namajunas’ UFC strawweight title could be decided at UFC 228 when Karolina Kowalkiewicz faces Jessica Andrade at UFC 228.

Sources close to MMANytt.com informed us that the bout has been verbally agreed by both parties and that contracts will shortly be out for a showdown on Sept. 8. Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the bout this evening.

Kowalkiewicz (12-2) is coming off the back off two wins against Jodie Esquibel and Felice Herrig. The Polish fighter previously fought for the strawweight title when she took on fellow Polish fighter Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 205 in Nov. 2016, but lost via a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Shark Top Team fighter will now look to get back into the title picture with a victory over Andrade on Sept. 8.

Andrade (18-6) is also riding a two fight win streak having beaten both Cluadia Gadelha and Tecia Torres. Like Kowalkiewicz, Andrade also fought Jedrzejczyk for the strawweight title and was defeated via unanimous decision at UFC 211 in May 2017.

No venue has been announced for UFC 228 but Dallas and Las Vegas are believed to be leading the running.