UFC Fight Night 261: Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz Preview

Sports news » UFC Fight Night 261: Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz Preview

10 minutes ago 1

Get ready for a strawweight showdown as Julia Polastri takes on Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC Fight Night 261. This highly anticipated undercard bout is set to electrify the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pitting Brazil`s `Psycho` Julia against the experienced Polish fighter Karolina.

Julia Polastri, with a professional career spanning seven years, holds a record of 13 wins. Her last octagon appearance resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Lupita Godinez. On the other side, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, a seasoned veteran since her 2012 debut, also comes off a unanimous decision loss against Denise Gomes. With both fighters looking to bounce back and boasting similar skill sets in the strawweight division, this fight promises to be a fiercely contested affair.

Page Contents

Fight Schedule and Broadcast Times

The main card for UFC Fight Night 261, featuring the Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz fight, is scheduled to begin at 04:00 PM EST. Fans in the USA can catch all the action live on ESPN+. Approximate ring walk times for Polastri vs. Kowalkiewicz are provided below, but please note these are subject to change based on the duration of earlier fights.

Region	Date	Main Card Start Time	Polastri vs Kowalkiewicz Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (EST)	Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025	04:00 PM	04:20 PM
USA and Canada (PT)	Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025	01:00 PM	01:20 PM
UK and Ireland (GMT)	Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025	08:00 PM	08:20 PM
Australia (AEDT)	Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025	07:00 AM	07:20 AM

UFC Fight Night 261 is slated for October 11, 2025, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event is headlined by a thrilling main event featuring Charles Oliveira against Mateusz Gamrot. The strawweight bout between Julia Polastri and Karolina Kowalkiewicz is scheduled for three rounds as part of the undercard.

Important Note: Ring walk times are approximate and can shift depending on how long preceding fights on the card last. Always check local listings for precise start times in your region, as time zones vary.

Fighter Profiles

Here’s a closer look at the two formidable strawweight contenders:

Julia Polastri

Nationality: Brazil
Height: 157 cm (5`2″)
Weight: 52.2 kg (115 lbs)
Total Fights: 18
Record: 13 Wins / 5 Losses / 0 Draws

Known as `Psycho`, Julia Polastri brings an aggressive style to the octagon. Despite a recent unanimous decision loss to Lupita Godinez, Polastri has demonstrated considerable resilience throughout her career. To secure a win against the experienced Kowalkiewicz, she will need to refine her technique and leverage her powerful striking.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Nationality: Poland
Height: 160 cm (5`3″)
Weight: 52.6 kg (116 lbs)
Total Fights: 25
Record: 16 Wins / 9 Losses / 0 Draws

Karolina Kowalkiewicz is a veteran with a wealth of experience, boasting 16 wins in her career. Her last fight also ended in a unanimous decision loss, against Denise Gomes. Kowalkiewicz is known for her strategic approach and well-rounded game. She will aim to utilize her experience and tactical prowess to outmaneuver Polastri and control the pace of the fight.

Betting Odds

As the fight approaches, Julia Polastri is favored by oddsmakers, but Karolina Kowalkiewicz remains a live underdog. Here are the current betting odds:

Favorite: Julia Polastri : 1.2 (-500)
Underdog: Karolina Kowalkiewicz : 5.0 (+400)

Method of Victory	Julia Polastri	Karolina Kowalkiewicz
By KO/TKO or disqualification	12.0 (+1100)	35.0 (+3400)
By decision or technical decision	1.6 (-165)	5.8 (+480)

How and Where to Watch Julia Polastri vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz

The strawweight bout between Julia Polastri and Karolina Kowalkiewicz will be available to watch live on ESPN+ in the USA.

Region	Live-streaming
USA	ESPN+

Geo-restrictions: If you are in a country where streaming services for UFC events are unavailable or geo-restricted, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to bypass these limitations. A VPN allows you to mask your IP address and appear as if you`re browsing from a different location, potentially granting access to international broadcasts.