UFC
Breaking down the young MMA career of undefeated prospect Josefin ”Thunder” Knutsson
Josefine Knutsson. Photo: Fight Club Rush / Stev Bonhage
Rising Swedish MMA star Josefine ”Thunder”Knutsson returns to UFC action on Saturday June 16!
Over the past few years, Knutsson has become one of the absolute hottest MMA prospects in Europe with an impressive string of wins. The former Muay Thai and kickboxing champion made her MMA pro debut in late 2021 after just one amateur fight.
Let’s take a closer look at Josefine Knutsson’s MMA journey as we recap her young career with fight-by-fight breakdowns all the way up to her second UFC fight.
1-0 (Amateur), defeating the tough Nina Back
Photo: Johnathon Michael-Frontkick.online
- Brave CF 37
- 2020.08.01
After a solid unanimous decision win against Nina Back in her first amateur fight in August 2020, Josefine Knutsson decided it was time to turn pro.
Back did her best to take the fight to the ground, but ”Thunder” had an answer to everything her opponent came up with.
Knowing how good Back is, this really showed the Swedish MMA fans the first sign of how far Knutsson would go.
1-0: Pro debut against Adriana Fusini
Photo: Johnathon Michael/Frontkick.online
- Fight Club Rush 8
- 2021.03.06
On March 6 2021, ”Thunder” made her pro debut in style as she completely dominated Italy’s Adriana Fusini to pick up a unanimous decision win at Fight Club Rush 8.
The performance showed proof of the Swede’s talent and hard work, and left the MMA crowd wanting more from the rising prospect.
2-0: Massacrating Elizabeth Rodrigues
Photo: Fight Club Rush / Stev Bonhage
- Fight Club Rush 9
- 2021.09.04
In her second fight, Knutsson took on Brazil’s Elizabeth Rodrigues at Fight Club Rush 9 in September 2021.
After witnessing a violent and bloody beating for nearly two rounds, the referee stepped in to save the Brazilian from taking more damage and gave Knutsson the win via TKO.
3-0: Dominating Lanchana Green
Josefine Knutsson. Photo: Stefan Romare / Frontkick.online
- Fight Club Rush 10
- 2021.11.20
In her third pro fight, just two months after defeating Rodrigues, ”Thunder” took on TUF veteran Lanchana Green at FCR 10 in Västerås.
After three dominant rounds where she was close to finishing Green several times, the Swedish prospect stood as the winner via unanimous decision.
The win cemented Knutsson’s status as one of the hottest prospects in Scandinavia, and it was now time for her first MMA fight outside of Sweden.
4-0: Defeating Ye Dam Seo in Singapore
- Road to UFC
- 2022.06.10
After seven months away from the cage, the Swedish prospect returned to action at Road to UFC in Singapore, where she faced the tough South Korean grappler Ye Dam Seo.
Knutsson was in control early, as she landed solid strikes and a couple of takedowns throughout the fight to win a unanimous decision.
However, the Swedish fighter was not happy with her performance.
”I know I can do better, but I should bring everything in this fight so no excuses. I’m gonna go home and work harder. But I want my contract in the UFC,” Knutsson said post-fight.
5-0: Toughest test to dage against Jacinta Austin
Josefine Knutsson. Photo: Sweep Productions
- UAE Warriors 36
- 2023.02.25
In February 2023, Knutsson had her toughest challenge to date as she took on fellow striking ace Jacinta Austin at UAE Warriors 35 in Abu Dhabi.
After three hard-fought rounds where the talented strawweights inflicted serious damage both on the feet and on the mat, Knutsson eventually stood as the winner via split decision.
6-0: Dominating Isis Verbeek
Photo via UFC (Twitter)
- Dana White’s Contender Series 59
- 2023.08.22
In her most recent outing at DWCS 59, ”Thunder” dominated the skilled striker Isis Verbeek for three rounds to win a clear-cut unanimous decision victory. The fight cemented her position as one of the most promising strawweight prospects in the world right now.
Read more: Rising Stars: Here Are Sweden’s 25 Hottest MMA Prospects in 2023
Read more: The 35 best Muay Thai fighters in Sweden right now!
7-0: Successful UFC debut
Photo: YouTube
- UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2
- 2023.09.16
On September 16, 2023, it was finally time for ”Thunder” to make her anticipated UFC debut at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
As her opponent Iasmin Lucindowas pulled from the fight for unknown reasons, Knutsson eventually took on short notice replacement Marnic Mann.
Knutsson was dominant throughout the fight, beating Mann in every aspect of the fight, and stood as the winner with a crushing 30–24, 30–25, 30–27 on the scorecards.
Check out Frontkick’s interview with Josefine Knutsson
