UFC Fight Night 161 Features Joanna Jedrzejczyk Vs. ‘Karate Hottie’

Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson will take to the Octagon this Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 161.

The two will square off from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Jedrzejczyk is just 1-3 over her last four fights after winning 14 in a row, including five successful title defenses. She claimed the UFC belt in 2015 with a finish of Carla Esparza and topped Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Jessica Andrade before falling to Rose Namajunas in 2017.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk On Her Win Over Tecia Torres

Along with the setback to Namajunas, she also lost via decision to Namajunas in a rematch and Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight belt last December. Related: Joanna Jedrzejczyk Vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Waterson, meanwhile, is a former Invicta FC champion and has reeled off three consecutive wins since back-to-back 2017 decision losses to Tecia Torres and Namajunas. She also earned two wins over Paige VanZant and Angela Magana prior to the setback.

Michelle Waterson: Cage Mom

In the co-main event, Cub Swanson meets Kron Gracie, with Mackenzie Dern returning from giving birth to take on Amanda Ribas. Matt Frevola vs. Luis Pena and Eryk Anders vs. Gerald Meerschaert round out the ESPN+ main card.

Swanson is in desperate need of a victory after dropping each of his last four fights, a skid that includes two submission losses to former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and former UFC featherweight challenger Brian Ortega. Gracie, who has trained under Nate Diaz, is a perfect 5-0 in his MMA career including a February first round submission win over Alex Caceres.

Some of the key prelims include Niko Price meeting James Vick, Max Griffin vs. Alex Morono and JJ Aldrich battling Lauren Mueller.

UFC Fight Night 161 Fight Card

MAIN CARD (ESPN+)

Women’s Strawweight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Michelle Waterson

Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Kron Gracie

Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas

Lightweight: Matt Frevola vs. Luis Pena

Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Gerald Meerschaert

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)

Welterweight: Niko Price vs. James Vick

Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Devin Clark

Flyweight: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Tim Elliott

Welterweight: Max Griffin vs. Alex Morono

Welterweight: Miguel Baeza vs. Hector Aldana

Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Andrew Sanchez

Women’s Flyweight: JJ Aldrich vs. Lauren Mueller

Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Andre Ewell