Joanna Jedrzejczyk Outpoints Gritty Valerie Letourneau To Retain Strawweight Title
Coming into UFC 193, many fans and media members predicted that Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11-0) would successfully defend her strawweight title against Valerie Letourneau (8-4). While the pick came true, “Trouble” didn’t make things easy.
Almost a minute into the fight, Letourneau caught the leg of Jedrzejczyk and brought her down. “Trouble” landed some punches, but “Joanna Champion” got back to her feet. Letourneau muscled her opponent to the fence. They traded knees before breaking from the clinch. Some swelling formed on the left eye of Jedrzejczyk. “Joanna Champion” blasted “Trouble” with a front kick to the face. Letourneau landed a leg kick and Jedrzejczyk answered with an elbow as the round came to a close.
Jedrzejczyk snuck in a couple of jabs and ducked a head kick. Letourneau caught the leg and pressed “Joanna Champion” against the cage. Jedrzejczyk landed some elbows in the clinch. The two later met at the center of the Octagon. Letourneau connected with two right hands. “Joanna Champion” got in a solid combination that ended with a leg kick.
“Joanna Champion” found her back against the cage at the start of round three. They broke free shortly after. A leg kick followed by an elbow found the target for Jedrzejczyk. “Joanna Champion” landed a front kick. Jedrzejczyk seemed to be more in control in this round than the previous two stanzas. Swelling formed on the right eye of “Trouble.”
A leg kick found the home for Jedrzejczyk early in round four. Letourneau threw more leather than she did in the third round. A heavy leg kick caused “Trouble” to limp. Letourneau landed a left kick to the body, but “Joanna Champion” responded with a big right hand and a front kick to the body.
The final round began with both women trading shots. Another left kick to the body found the mark for the challenger. The champion continued to land stinging leg kicks. A jab to the body connected for Jedrzejczyk. The champion went to town on the face and body of Letourneau, who slowed down considerably thanks to the leg kicks.
While the decision was never in question, there’s no doubting that “Trouble” provided a stern test for the champion.
Final Result: Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Valerie Letourneau via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
