Joanna Jedrzejczyk is eagerly waiting for her rematch to reclaim her UFC strawweight title which she held for over two years. Since being crowned the strawweight champion in 2015 against Carla Esparza at UFC 185, Jedrzejczyk (14-1) has defended her belt five times, with wins over the likes of Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Jessica Andrade.
Rose Namajunas upset Jedrzejczyk in shocking fashion at UFC 217 in November with less than two minutes off the clock in the first round. Namajunas dropped Jedrzejczyk with a left hook and finished her with punches on the ground. That was Joanna’s first professional MMA loss.
Now their rematch is set and will co-headline UFC 223 on April 7 in Brooklyn, New York. Jedrzejczyk spoke to Polsat Sport about her upcoming fight. (transcript via BloodyElbow)
“The preparations took place very often, but I am very focused. I devote every free moment to regeneration, proper nutrition and training. I know that in sports, I win and lose, and I know that my last fight did not go my way, because people from my team failed me.”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk left her nutrition team, Perfecting Athletes blames them for her UFC 217 loss.
“Many people asked me if I change coaches, club … My answer was ‘no’ because my coaches did their best to be in the best possible shape. The doctor, who had a big impact on how I felt 30 hours before the fight, failed. People who are not in sports, in which you need to watch this weight, do not know what it’s eating. It often has negative effects on our health and even life. I am asking for patience, just like I have to wait for the day when I will receive a strawweight belt.”
Regardless of her recent loss, Jedrzejczyk is still considered one of the top female fighters in the world.
UFC 223 will take place on April 7, at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York.
