Following a successful UFC debut, Karolina Kowalkiewicz is already looking ahead to her eventual goal in the strawweight division.

The former KSW champion and Invicta FC veteran defeated Canada's Randa Markos in the opening bout on the UFC on FOX 17 main card. She looked well-round and convincing in her promotional debut, and wasted little time setting up an eventual showdown with her fellow countrywoman and UFC champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

"One day I hope I will fight with her," Kowalkiewicz said at the post-fight press conference. "She's the best, and I want to fight with the best."

However, Karolina's call-out was entirely respectful. The soft-spoken strawweight talked about how she "cried" when she got the call from her manager to join the UFC ranks before complimenting Joanna on her ongoing success.

"I know her. She's really amazing," Kowalkiewicz said. "I respect her very much. In Poland, she's very popular."

Despite Joanna's increasing popularity as a UFC champion, it was Karolina who first created interest for women's MMA in Poland when she competed in the KSW tournament to crown their first ever-female champion. Her eventual victory sparked unheralded interest and kickstarted Polish WMMA.