Kowalkiewicz began her mixed martial arts career at the age of sixteen when she began training in Krav Maga. She later trained in Muay Thai and decided to make it a career. She fought two amateur fights before turning pro.[6]
Kowalkiewicz made her professional debut in her native Poland in May 2012. Over the next three-and-a-half years she amassed an undefeated record of seven wins against no losses. She fought primarily for the Poland-based KSW promotion - where she was the Flyweight champion - and also made her U.S. debut for Invicta FC in November 2014.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In late October 2015, it was announced that Kowalkiewicz had signed with the UFC. She faced Randa Markos on December 19, 2015 at UFC on FOX 17.[8] She was successful in her debut, winning the fight by unanimous decision.[9]
Kowalkiewicz defeated Rose Namajunas by split decision on July 30, 2016 at UFC 201 to earn the next title shot at then-champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk.[12] This performance earned her a Fight of the Night bonus.[13]
Kowalkiewicz fought for the Strawweight title and lost to champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk by unanimous decision on November 12, 2016 at UFC 205.[14]
Kowalkiewicz faced Cláudia Gadelha on June 3, 2017 in the co-main event at UFC 212. She lost the fight via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[15]
Kowalkiewicz faced Jessica Penne on August 7, 2021 at UFC 265.[28] She lost the fight via an armbar in round one.[29]
After a one-year hiatus, Kowalkiewicz faced Felice Herrig on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207.[30] Kowalkiewicz snapped a 5 bout losing streak, submitting Herrig via rear-naked choke in the second round.[31]
Kowalkiewicz faced Vanessa Demopoulos on May 13, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 223.[34] At the weigh-ins, Demopoulos weighed in at 117.5 pounds, one and half pounds over the women's strawweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceed at catchweight and Demopoulos was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to Kowalkiewicz.[35] Kowalkiewicz won the fight via unanimous decision.[36]
In 2019, Kowalkiewicz was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. To cope with the symptoms Kowalkiewicz now works with an endocrinologist and has adopted a vegan diet.[41]
In 2020, during the match with Yan Xiaonan she got a severe eye injury in the first round, yet she fought the remaining rounds with the injury. Her injuries were so severe that she couldn’t return home from New Zealand, forced to wear an eye patch and stay for a few days.[42] On Instagram she commented on the injury: “First time in my life after a fight, I cannot say I’m okay. Like you see, at the beginning of the first round, I have broken small bone here. I couldn’t see nothing. My vision was double and everything was like in the fog.”[43] She later had surgery which involved the insertion of a titanium plate in her right eye.[44]
