Joanna Jedrzejczyk envisions career ‘second wind’, admits new UFC deal may be her last
Former undisputed UFC strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has admitted that her recently penned new Octagon deal may be her final with the organization, however, envisions a career second wind ahead of her June return.
The Pole, who has been out of action since March 2020, most recently co-headlined UFC 248 against fellow former undisputed strawweight champion, Zhang Weili, turning in a spectacular performance over the course of five rounds in the consensus Fight of the Year. Jedrzejczyk would suffer a close, split decision loss to the Hebei native.
Slated to return next month at UFC 275 in Singapore, Jedrzejczyk, who plys her trade under the banner of American Top Team – clashes with Weili in a high-stakes, potential title-eliminator rematch – with UFC president, Dana White admitting the victor will likely land a title fight against recently minted champion, Carla Esparza.
Inking a new, six-fight deal with the organization ahead of her Octagon comeback, Jedrzejczyk admitted that her new contract may come as her last with the UFC.
“For sure [it could be my final contract],” Joanna Jedrzejczyk told MMA Fighting during an interview ahead of UFC 275. “It’s a six-fight deal. But this fight (with Zhang Weili) is not going to be my last fight or the second (last) or the third (last) – I feel a second wind. I’m turning 35 this year and I never felt so good. Physically, mentally, I’m just happy.”
Tasked with avenging her close decision loss to Weili next month at UFC 275 – and land another rematch against former-foe, Esparza, Jedrzjeczyk believes she is still a force to be reckoned with at 115lbs.
“All of the opportunities I have outside of the gym and outside of the Octagon, the money I can make isn’t easy because I have to work my ass so hard,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk said. “But somehow, you need this extra motivation to get back to the Octagon.”
“I can’t just go there and get my face beat up again for little money and no exposure, etc,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk said. “There has to be something extra beside the love and desire I have to this sport. I feel like I’m still one of the greatest in the strawweight division and I just want to go there and prove that on June 11.”
Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.
