Report: Jessica Andrade vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz targeted for UFC 228

A pair of strawweight standouts could be heading to UFC 228.

According to a report by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, a bout between contenders Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz is in the works for the upcoming September card.

Jessica Andrade (18-6) will look for her third straight win after defeating both Claudia Gadelha and Tecia Torres via unanimous decision. Andrade’s last loss came in May 2017, when she challenged then-champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the title, but dropped a unanimous decision.

Also on a two-fight winning streak, Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-2) bested Felice Herrig and Jodie Esquibel in her last two outings, with the Herrig victory coming this past April at UFC 223. The victories snapped a two-fight skid, with a title fight loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk and a submission defeat to Claudia Gadelha.

Reigning champion Rose Namajunas is currently dealing with a neck injury, and she says she’s in no hurry to return as she recovers.

UFC 228 is rumored to take place in Dallas, Texas. Although it still lacks a headliner, a bantamweight bout between John Dodson and Jimmie Rivera, as well as a featherweight match between Yair Rodriguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov, are both slated for the same event.