Jędrzejczyk vs Waterson confirmed for UFC Fight Night: Tampa

UFC Fight Night: Tampa will see a strawweight clash between Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson as it’s main event, as confirmed by the UFC yesterday. Taking place on Saturday 12^th October at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, the main event becomes the third officially confirmed fight for the event with Ryan Spann vs Devin Clark and JJ Aldrich vs Lauren Mueller also on the bill. Although not yet official, Tim Elliott vs Deiveson Figueiredo and Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Ribas are also scheduled in.

In the main event, former strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk (15-3) returns to the division after challenging Valentina Shevchenko for the then vacant flyweight title at UFC 231 in December last year. Ending up on the wrong end of a five round unanimous decision defeat, Joanna suffered her third defeat in four fights having previously going fourteen fights unbeaten prior to her back to back fights with Rose Namajunas.

After beating Carla Esparza for the strawweight title at UFC 185 in March 2015, Joanna went on to successfully defend her title five times, including a win over current champion Jéssica Andrade, before succumbing to a first-round TKO defeat to Namajunas in an event that many criticised the champion for her tasteless taunting of the challenger, prior to the fight.

Standing in the way of a potential return to the win column will be the number seven ranked, Michelle Waterson (17-6). Former Invicta FC atomweight champion, Waterson, is currently on a three-fight winning streak after decision victories over Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Felice Herrig and Cortney Casey. Prior to that, Waterson suffered her first two defeats in the UFC after first being submitted (rear-naked choke) by Rose Namajunas and then losing by unanimous decision to Teica Torres at UFC 218 in December 2017.

UFC Fight Night: Tampa takes place on Saturday 12^th October at the Amalie Arena.