Joanna Jedrzejczyk discusses champion turnover at strawweight, UFC 248 title fight with Zhang Weili

Being a UFC champion is not easy, and Joanna Jedrzejczyk knows that.

The former UFC strawweight titleholder will get a chance to regain the belt on March 7 at UFC 248 in Las Vegas when she challenges champion Zhang Weili. And with the possibility of reclaiming UFC gold, Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) is aware of the challenges that could come her way if successful.

The Polish standout said there are difficulties that come with being a UFC champion. She also has a theory about the recent champ turnover at 115 pounds.

“It’s not easy to become the champ,” Jedrzejczyk told MMA Junkie. “You definitely need to do many more obligations after you win the belt, and it’s not like the champions don’t want to do it. Of course, you are like a stock for the UFC and they need to use you to promote the organization, so you need to do more stuff.

“I love doing many different (thinks). I love doing media. I love working with sponsors. But it’s all about organizing your time. Some fighters, they don’t know how to do it – and I know how to do it. I can’t wait to get this belt and put in the work again.”

Since the UFC implemented the strawweight division in 2014, there have been five different champions. Only one – Jedrzejczyk – has been able to defend the belt more than once. Her five-fight defense reign is the longest in UFC strawweight history.

But despite the historic streak, the betting odds are close to even for her upcoming title challenge with Jedrzejczyk as a slight underdog. The first  Chinese champion in UFC history has impressed many with her quick and dominant rise, capped off by a first-round knockout win over Jessica Andrade in August to win the title.

Jedrzejczyk is proud of her record and sees it as a warning sign for people counting her out at UFC 248.

“Two years and eight months – almost three years,” Jedrzejczyk said. “It was a long time, but people always are going to doubt me, doubt you, and they keep on doubting. But show me another one.

“Of course, I give all my respect to Rose Namajunas. I really like her and she beat me. She knocked me out, and there is no question. But Ronda Rousey – six successful title defenses. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, five. And of course, the ‘GOAT’ of women’s MMA is Amanda Nunes right now. Nobody can take my legacy away from me, and that’s the point. People can say whatever they want. I don’t care.”

The 32-year-old Jedrzejczyk remains a proven championship-caliber fighter and finds herself 2-0 in her most recent two strawweight performances. She had strong showings in her decision victories against veterans Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres.

On top of Jedrzejczyk’s assets, Weili has skeptics like any other fighter who’s a newly crowned champion.

Weili has an extensive record, but has yet to be really tested in the UFC. She’s only been in the promotion for a little more than a year. And some questioned Weili’s title shot since she was ranked sixth in the UFC’s rankings at the time.

Jedrzejczyk sees some of the things happening in the game, but still gives full credit to Weili and acknowledges her legitimacy as champion. She knows from experience it’s a tough thing to do.

“Politics, money, new (UFC) Performance Institute in Shanghai – but hey, she made it to the top and she’s the champ for a reason,” Jedrzejczyk said. “Rankings don’t fight, and someone can look better on paper. But when you step in the octagon, it’s always 50-50. It doesn’t matter if you looked better on paper or not.

“And she made it. I didn’t want to fight her in August. Tatiana (Suarez) was injured, and there was nobody who could step in to fight Jessica Andrade.(Andrade) was waiting, got to go fight in China. She did it, she lost, and we have a new champ – and that’s it. It’s simple like this.

“I’m very happy for Zhang that she took her chance and she became champion. That’s it. There’s more than 500 fighters in the UFC and there is only like 13 or 14 champions, so it’s a special league. If you make it once, you’re the ‘GOAT’ forever.”