Kowalkiewicz remains undefeated with split decision over 'Thug Rose'

Karolina Kowalkiewicz may soon fight a fellow Pole for the UFC strawweight title.

Kowalkiewicz earned a split-decision victory over Rose Namajunas at UFC 201 on Saturday in a fight to presumably determine champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk's next challenger.

The fighters traded rounds, Namajunas taking the first, Kowalkiewicz the second. "Thug Rose" gladly traded strikes with the Muay Thai expert in Round 1 and found success with her movement and counter-punching. A late takedown helped give her the edge in the opening frame.

Kowalkiewicz made it her fight in the second, displaying a nasty clinch game. Whether against the cage or in the middle of it, she landed knee after knee to Namajunas' midsection, effectively taking the wind out of her.

The fight was decided in the third as Kowalkiewicz continued to land knees to the body. A waning Namajunas scrambled for a submission once the fight went to the ground, but Kowalkiewicz managed to slither out of her grasp to land some punches late and take the round.

Kowalkiewicz moves to a perfect 10-0 and, although it's yet to be confirmed, will likely fight Jedrzejczyk for the title next. Namajunas falls to 5-3.