COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Rose Namajunas or Zhang Weili: It’s that simple for Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
“I’m interested in only fighting one of them,” Jedrzejczyk told MMA Junkie.
A bold statement, considering Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is 2-4 in her past six fights dating back to November 2017 and that run began with back-to-back title fight losses to Namajunas. Since then, Jedrzejczyk has alternated wins (Tecia Torres, Michelle Waterson) and losses (Valentina Shevchenko, Weili) and fallen short in trying to claim UFC gold at flyweight.
All of this has come after Jedrzejczyk started her career 14-0 and defended the 115-pound title five times. That remarkable run, combined with her mixed results since losing the belt, seemingly have built up good credit for Jedrzejczyk with the UFC, as she remains No. 2 in the official rankings behind only Namajunas and Weili.
But Jedrzejczyk also has remained inactive for 15 months and counting. The last time she was seen inside the octagon, she was nearly unrecognizable with a massive forehead hematoma suffered in her “Fight of the Year” loss to Weili – another failed title attempt – at UFC 248.
“I put on a hell of a war, and I’m proud of myself,” said Jedrzejczyk, adding that she’s yet to watch the fight. “Yeah, man, I lost. We always want to win, but it’s not easy. I’m proud of myself. Even though it was close, could go either way, I lost. I can’t do anything about (that) and just work even harder and win my next fight.”
About that: Assuming Jedrzejczyk sticks to her guns, it’s possible her octagon return could be prolonged even longer. Even though Namajunas finished Weili to become a two-time champ on April 24 at UFC 261, there’s talk of an immediate rematch. Complicating the mix of potential matchups at the top of the division is Carla Esparza, whose TKO of top contender Yan Xiaonan last month pushed her winning streak to five. Esparza, who beat Namajunas in 2014 to claim the inaugural 115-pound title, has called for a rematch in hopes of doing what Jedrzejczyk also wants to do – win UFC gold a second time.
There are two ways Jedrzejczyk could return sooner than later. If Esparza got the title shot, perhaps Jedrzejczyk and Weili could run things back. Or the ideal scenario for Jedrzejczyk: She’s granted a title fight trilogy vs. Namajunas.
It’s all up in the air.
“I don’t know what’s next. I would like to fight maybe in September, but I’m enjoying my life,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I like to do other stuff outside the gym and octagon. Let’s see what’s gonna happen next. Let’s see who Rose is willing to fight next, because I’m only interested in big fights. I know that people are saying that I lost and I should take some lower-ranking girls, but I’m not really interested after putting on ‘Fight of the Year’ with Zhang Weili.”
She continued, “Anything can happen, you know? It’s a big business, and I respect that. I just take my spot and wait. I can’t get pushed to do things I don’t want to do. My legacy is so big. … I deserve what’s best – what’s best for me.”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk: ‘I deserve what’s best;’ UFC return depends on Rose Namajunas, Zhang Weili