LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 22: Josefine Knutsson of Sweden prepares to face Isis Verbeek of The Netherlands in a strawweight battle throughout Dana White’s Contender Collection season seven, week three at UFC APEX on August 22, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photos)
Weight class: StrawweightResult: Josefine Knutsson def. Isis Verbeek through unanimous resolution (30-27, 20-27, 20-27)Grade: A-
Abstract Though Josefine Knutsson is clearly adequate to compete with the vast majority of her potential friends within the UFC’s strawweight division, the UFC president determined to move on the Sweedish prospect – which made Knutsson the primary winner to not obtain a contract this season.
Contemplating each the quantity of contracts given out to the extent of fighters White has already gotten behind this season (like Ciao Machado, for instance), it’s fully comprehensible for individuals to level out the hypocrisies and inconsistencies that exist on the present.
That stated, as somebody who is certainly not afraid to voice my critiques of White and the UFC brass, I can’t say that the disagreed with what White was saying (at the least in spirit), therefore the marginally decrease grade given right here.
Knutsson could arguably have the next ceiling than the remainder of the individuals on this listing given their respective divisions, however she additionally ended up within the battle with the biggest ability disparity and nonetheless didn’t model in entrance of the UFC boss regardless of having her opponent harm on a number of events.
Though I don’t agree with the contract state of affairs, per se, I can also’t be stunned to see a fighter punished for an overabundance of cage wrestling (as that’s one thing that the UFC brass even have been constant about for the reason that Joe Silva days).
However don’t fret, of us. Given the development of the UFC matchmakers lately, I’m positive that we’ll nonetheless see Knutsson pop up on a future card as short-notice filler to assist the machine meet its quota.
