Chin: Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Not many women can go five rounds with Joanna Champion and look no worse for the wear, but Kowalkiewicz did. She absorbed 171 significant strikes in their title fight at UFC 205, according to FightMetric, and had only a little swelling to show for it. That came off the heels of a hard fought split-decision win over Rose Namajunas, in which the Polish Muay Thai fighter ate multiple stiff shots. Eight rounds against two of the best 115-pounders in the world has shown her ability to take punishment, while also dishing it out.
Heart: Valerie Letourneau
Letourneau has been in there with some of the sport’s best fighters at both 115 and 135 pounds, and most notably put her toughness on display in a five-round loss to Jedrzejczyk at UFC 193. According to FightMetric, Letourneau absorbed 220 significant strikes from the champ, including 70 leg kicks, and developed massive swelling under her right eye and legs. Still, the Canadian fought and threw punches until the very end despite being down on the cards. She came into that fight a heavy underdog, but her will and determination to see the bout to the end impressed many in defeat.
On the next page: Left hand and Right hand
