UFC Strawweight Title Fight Preview: See Weigh In, Jessica Penne Compares Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk to ‘Lord of the Rings'’ Gollum [Watch]
Jessica Penne (12-2) challenges Germany's Joanna Jedrzejczyk (9-0) for the UFC strawweight title on Saturday inside the 02 World in Berlin, reports ESPN.
The Polish champion Jedrzejczyk became the second-ever UFC strawweight champion by defeating Carla Esparza in a second-roundknockout at UFC 185 in March.
The champion and former "Ultimate Fighter" competitor Penne weighed in on Friday in Berlin, reports Fox Sports. Jedrzejczyk andPenne both weighed 114 pounds.
The weigh in took a dramatic turn when the two strawweight fighters came nose to nose and started exchanging words.
The California native has started the smack talk last week by posting a picture of "Lord of the Rings" character Gollum to Instagram with the caption, "Every time I see my opponents face off stance I think of gollum lol. Get used to eating that penne pasta because you'llbe eating this penne's punches this Saturday #UFCBerlin."
The exchange of words gave way to the exchange of gifts following the weigh-ins. Jedrzejczyk gave two pieces of jewelry to Penne, which the challenger immediately discarded. Penne then handed Jedrzejczyk a ring that was similar to the one Gollum cherished in the movie "Lord of the Rings."
Penne faces not only the wrath of the title champion, but the European crowd who will be on her side. It is rumored that fans are coming from Poland to cheer on Jedrzejczyk as she defends her UFC women's strawweight title in Berlin.
"It's gonna be a war. A real war," Jedrzejczyk said.
"No matter what happens I'm prepared for everything," Penne said. "I'll get my hand raised."
According to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Penne ought to have an advantage over Jedrzejczyk on the ground, but getting the champion there will be a huge undertaking. If she does takedown the Polish native, it will be an enormous struggle to keep her there.
Okamoto predicts that Jedrzejczyk's superior jab will outgun Penne, winning the European fighter a TKO in Round 2.
ODDS: Jedrzejczyk -700; Penne +500
Penne fights for Alliance MMA in San Diego, California, following the close of her previous camp, Reign Training Center in Orange County. Saturday's fight marks Penne's first appearance for Alliance MMA.
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