UFC 190 was a show built on the star power of one Ronda Rousey. She was the main attraction for fans in Brazil and watching around the world. However, the opening bout of the main card set the stage for what could be the coming out party for the next big star in the women’s organization.
Claudia Gadelha earned what will be her second fight against current strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. If this contest is as interesting as their first, the UFC will be on the cusp of their second breakout women’s star.
For 15 minutes Gadelha dominated Jessica Aguilar as the former World Series of Fighting strawweight champion made her Octagon debut. Gadelha showed an improved striking and takedown game that earned her some interesting comments throughout major MMA media outlets.
The first time Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha fought, it was a highly controversial bout that the current champion was able to take via split decision. It was a back-and-forth battle in which Gadelha was able to have continued success with her takedowns while hanging tough with her striking through three rounds of action.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Sunday the Brazilian is next in line for a shot at the belt during the post-fight press conference.
What is important about this fight is that the UFC can properly build it as an opportunity to develop a new star within the women’s division. Jedrzejczyk is grabbing attention for her displays of violence in the cage. Examples of the way she battered both Carla Esparza and Jessica Penne were two fights in which she was not in danger at any point but badly hurt her opponents. Gadelha is the only individual who has put the Polish fighter in danger.
“There’s no denying that her and Joanna are the baddest women at 115 pounds, and that fight will be very good to see again,” White said during the media conference.
The UFC should take this fight and place it on a card that will draw a lot of attention. Instead of putting them on a Fight Pass event as the main event, the promotion should slot them as a co-main event with an established champion before 2015 is over.
For example, Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold are set to face off in a battle for the middleweight title; however, the date has not been scheduled. MMA Frenzy’s Kelsey Mowatt reported that White tweeted a confirmation that the Weidman/Rockhold bout would come in December.
Weidman has been used as a main event the UFC’s year-end card in the past. Also, the UFC 168 co-main event featured Rousey and Miesha Tate, which was an exciting bout that evening. Perhaps the organization can use that co-main event as an attempt to promote another major women’s rivalry with the rematch between Gadelha and Jedrzejczyk.
Gadelha did her part in setting up the next major conflict in women’s mixed martial arts. The rematch between her and Jedrzejczyk is going to be well anticipated by hardcore fans and the mixed martial arts media base alike. With the proper promotion, the UFC can build both of these individuals into the next stars of MMA.
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