Past, present and future: Joanna Jedrzejczyk soaks it all in before UFC on ESPN+ 19

TAMPA, Fla. – In 2017, Joanna Jedrzejczyk was on top of the world.

A rising star in the world of MMA, Jedrzejczyk began forming into one of the faces of the UFC. However, starting with a stunning stoppage loss to Rose Namajunas in November 2017, Jedrzejczyk has found herself in a slump, having lost three out of her last four fights.

When she reflected on her career at UFC on ESPN+ 19 media day held Thursday, Jedrzejczyk ran through the ups and downs. Each loss was a learning experience, and that was no different in her most recent fight against Valentina Shevchenko last December at UFC 231.

One of the most valuable takeaways for Jedrzejczyk? The confidence she can hang with the “true” 125-pound champion.

“After the fight, even though I lost, I was proud of myself and my team,” Jedrzejczyk told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I kept my head up because I put on a good fight with Valentina Shevchenko. We saw her performing with Liz Carmouche, and she just ripped her head off. I was very proud I could stand with the real champ for all five rounds.”

Each new camp is a mental reset for Jedrzejczyk (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who takes on Michelle Waterson (17-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 19.

“After resting and taking this break, I got to the point to where I wanted to be,” Jedrzejczyk said. “It’s not like I didn’t feel the power anymore, and I wasn’t motivated to train. But stepping into the octagon for a new camp, it’s always like a debut for me. I’m getting excited because I love my job.

“My big passion and hobby, sacrificing for so many years, it became by job. I can make a living off of it. Sometimes we get too far, and we want more and more. I always 100 percent want what I’m doing in life. This is what I was doing. I was giving myself, but I forgot about myself.”

As for her weight cut, Jedrzejczyk was reluctant to touch on the issue. A major storyline during UFC Tampa fight week has been her reported struggles to reach 116 pounds. Jedrzejczyk wasn’t eager to address the rumors, but indicated she is on track to hit her mark Friday morning.

“The next 24 hours are going to be beautiful because I feel great,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I don’t know if I should tell you if I’m not going to make the weight or if I’m going to make the weight tomorrow. … Is she going to make it?

“… I know who am I and why I am where I am,” Jedrzejczyk said. “Why you people ask me how I feel? I feel great, man. I’m going to be on weight, and I will face Michelle Waterson on Saturday. … Beautiful weight like there’s nothing to worry about. I’m a professional, and I always take my business from the beginning to the end.”

A win over Waterson, could put her back into title contention, according to the 32-year-old Polish strawweight. One way or another, Jedrzejczyk vowed that UFC gold will be wrapped around her waist in the near future.

If she has it her way, Jedrzejczyk will face off with Weili Zhang in a stadium show in Poland next year.

“I know it’s going to happen very soon,” Jedrzejczyk said. “We fight, and after we win very quick this Saturday, I can step to the octagon very soon. I had some interviews with the Asian media outlets yesterday. They’ve been asking me. They’re super pumped for this fight. They know what’s up and what’s coming.

“They ask me if I’d like to fight Weili Zhang in Poland, for example, because she’s having problems with the U.S. visa. I said of course, we had an amazing brand new stadium – 60,000 people with one MMA show. So it’s time for the UFC to take over.”

UFC on ESPN+ 19 takes place Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The card streams on ESPN+.