Karolina Kowalkiewicz wants a fight with Claudia Gadelha

Karolina Kowalkiewicz entered her UFC 205 title fight with strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk with a perfect, 10-0 record and a good deal of hype behind her. Yet while she was able to put up a good fight against the champ – even dropping her on one occasion – she ultimately came up short, losing a unanimous decision.

Now several months removed from this failed title bid, Kowalkiewicz took a moment to reflect on it in an interview with FloCombat.com.

“It was my dream to fight at Madison Square Garden,” she said of the experience. “Unfortunately, I lost the fight and I didn’t get the title. but it was a really exciting experience and New York is an amazing place. “I’m still happy I could be a part of that historic event and it will be something I always look back on fondly.”

Kowalkiewicz then looked to the future, explaining that she’s hoping to fight again in May – ideally against a fellow former title challenger in Claudia Gadelha.

“I don’t have any confirmed information or contract yet, but I would like to fight at the beginning of May,” she said. “I can’t wait to return to the Octagon because I think people are going to see I’ve not just been taking time off, I’ve already made big improvements and the next time you see me I’ll be even better than what you saw from me at UFC 205.

“I don’t pick my opponents, but a fighter I want to test myself against next is Claudia Gadelha,” she continued. “I think she’s one of the best female fighters in the world and I think it makes sense with us both at the top of the rankings.”

How do you think a Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Claudia Gadelha fight would go? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/10/2017.