‘She’s one of my idols, but I have to hurt her’ – UFC’s Kowalkiewicz on Waterson fight (VIDEO)

Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz says she will be fighting “one of her idols” when she faces Michelle Waterson at UFC Philadelphia on Saturday, but warned that her respect for the American will not stop her from doing damage.

Kowalkiewicz and Waterson are two of the UFC’s most eye-catching women’s fighters, and victory on Saturday will potentially push one of the strawweights closer to the title currently held by Rose Namajunas.

Kowalkiewicz beat Namajunas back in 2016, but the Pole has since struggled for consistency.

She heads into Saturday’s fight having lost three of her past five fights, including a title tilt against countrywoman Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

In ‘The Karate Hottie’ Waterson, 33, Kowalkiewicz faces one of the classiest women’s fighters in the sport, with exceptional striking skills and kicking techniques that give credence to her moniker.

But while Kowalkiewicz said she admires Waterson, it will not stop her “hurting her” on Saturday.   

“It’s a great match-up, I really like Michelle and I don’t want to hurt her, but I have to,” Kowalkiewicz told reporters on Thursday.

“I know Michelle is a great fighter, a great person, she’s one of my idols, this is a big honor for me to fight with her.

“This is my job, I respect all fighters, all women fighters, this is part of my job that I have to punch somebody.”

Waterson has continued to juggle fighting at the pinnacle of her sport with bringing up her eight-year-old daughter Araya, who is an ever-present at her mom’s fights.

Kowalkiewicz has recently spoken of her own desire to become a mother, as retirement beckons for the veteran of 15 professional fights, including 12 wins.

In contrast to Waterson, and given her age, the Pole feels it would be difficult to continue once she has had a child.

“[Waterson’s] a very nice person, very beautiful. She’s a mother and she’s still fighting, all her career she’s on the top, this is something amazing.

“No, no, now I’m 34, so [I wouldn’t continue],” Kowalkiewicz said.

Ultimately any admiration will temporarily be left cageside once hostilities commence at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday - although once the fight is over, Kowalkiewicz said respect will be resumed. 

“I never told her [how much I admire her], but maybe after the fight,” she joked.