I'm proud that I managed to get back on the victory path - interview with Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Last time we had an interview 2 years ago. In the meantime a lot has happened in your life. What are you most proud of?

A lot has happened in my life in the last two years. I got marred, I became a patron of the female section of MMA Poland, together with my husband we started the K2 Zaborowscy foundation, which helps children train sports. We support young talents, but we also encourage kids, who never did any sports. We help them find the passion and the proper discipline. Sport played a huge role in my life, it had a huge impact on my life and it shaped me. I would like young people to find passion in sport and that it would give them not only physical strength, but above all mental strength. I also returned to the octagon and I was able to win. Recently, a lot of people crossed me off and foretold the end of my career, and I came back with such a strong bang. I am probably in the best shape of my life. I am most proud of the fact that, despite all the adversities, I managed to return on the winning tracks.

Some time ago you announced that you are training together with Joanna Jędrzejczyk and then you went to the US to prepare. How did the cooperation work out?

Joanna helped me prepare for the last fight. She came to Łódź for a few days, and then we met for joint training in Warsaw. I wanted to go to the US to ATT last year, but unfortunately the pandemic and paperwork changed my plans, because I would have had very little time to prepare and I would not have had time to organize the entire trip. Now it worked out and I am very happy because it was the best decision I could have made. A lot of people ask why I didn't do it earlier. Nothing happens without a reason, and there is a time for everything in life. In my opinion, it was that time now.

Can you say a little more about trainings at ATT?

It was really great. The first week was very hard for me both physically and emotionally, but when I got used to it, when I got acclimatized, everything started to go great. My new head coach is coach Parrumpa, coach Anderson is responsible for striking and I am very happy to work with them. They are great people, very professional. I also can't help but mention other coaches and fighters. I couldn't think of a better place to train. And I really feel at home there. Florida has become my second home.

During your stay in the USA you announced your next fight. You were supposed to come back to the octagon after almost a year. How did you feel and what did you think about your opponent?

My fight was actually announced a week before the event date, but I knew about it much earlier. When I left for ATT, I was leaving to prepare for this fight. I had the opportunity to fight Felice Herrig 4 years ago and then I won with a split decision. Now I did not want to leave the decision in the hands of the judges. I just wanted to end the fight ahead of time and I did it. I had so many emotions before returning to the octagon after such a break, after such a losing streak, but I was very determined. I really wanted to win. I sacrificed a lot and it worked. I am very happy.

Once again congratulations. It was a great fight and you had it under control from the beginning. What do you think about it?

I am very pleased with the course of the fight itself. I am really proud of myself. From the very beginning I have controlled the fight, I managed to complete the game plan in 100%. Of course, I have watched this fight a few times and I can see mistakes that I need to work on, but still I am more pleased with myself than dissatisfied. How can you not be when you win a fight the first time ahead of time by submission?

During our last interview you said that you want to come back on the winning path and get into top 3. What are your plans now?

I did consider that maybe this would be my last fight and that after the fight I would take off my gloves and leave them in the octagon. Fortunately, the scenario was more optimistic and I would like to fight for 2 more years. I would like to do my best and make the most of this period, but especially now you cannot be sure of anything. I have a plan A, I have a plan B, so I'm just going to enjoy life and pursue my passions. However, I would like to return to the octagon by the end of the year.

We cannot wait to see another fight of Karolina, but in a couple of days another days another Monster Energy ambassador is coming back to the octagon. After over 2 years Joanna Jędrzejczyk will have a rematch with Weili Zhang.