Karolina Kowalkiewicz sees Diana Belbita as logical matchup at UFC 294 or UFC 295

LAS VEGAS – Former UFC title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz is ready for the next step in her career rebuild.

After a five-fight skid from 2018-2021, Kowalkiewicz’s (15-7 MMA, 8-7 UFC) career was on life support. She needed a change, and made a big move when she relocated from her native Poland to Florida for training at American Top Team.

The move has paid dividends. Kowalkiewicz has won her past three fights and is starting to reestablish herself in the strawweight division.

“I fell in love with the sport once again,” Kowalkiewicz told MMA Junkie Radio at UFC X Radio Row earlier this month. “I started everything from the beginning and it worked very good for me.

Kowalkiewicz, 37, said she hopes to return to action before the end of the year. She named UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21 or UFC 295 in New York on Nov. 11 as events that would meet her timelines, and even had a potential opponent in mind.

“I want to fight as soon as possible because I am ready,” Kowalkiewicz said. “I am in training right now. I still don’t have a date or an opponent. I don’t know. Maybe Diana Belbita.”