Joanna Not Stressed About UFC Tampa Weight Cut
Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s weight-cutting escapades have shaken up the MMA world. From fighters to fans, everyone has been left wondering what is going to happen this upcoming weekend regarding UFC Tampa. Especially her opponent Michelle Waterson. Over a week ago, Joanna told the UFC that she wouldn’t be able to make the strawweight limit of 116lbs. But, Joanna recently said that she would do everything in her power to make the weight in time for weigh-ins on Friday. Everything in reason, that is. So Joanna is wondering what the fuss is actually all about.
Saturday's UFC main event — Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Michelle Waterson — is in jeopardy. According to multiple sources, Joanna Jedrzejczyk informed the UFC over a week ago that she would not be able to make the strawweight limit of 116 pounds. More: https://t.co/lVjthsPO3G
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 9, 2019
Waterson’s Ultimatum
News broke that Joanna and Michelle Waterson’s fight at UFC Tampa was in danger of coming to fruition. Sources said that Waterson was left with the option of fighting Joanna at a catchweight in which she respectfully declined. Also reported was the news that the UFC offered Waterson replacement opponents in Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, both of which were declined as well.
Even within the fluidity of all the aforementioned moving parts, Jedrzejczyk said she doesn’t know what the fuss is all about. Partly because once the news broke of her weight-struggles, media begin to dig around more context. But Joanna herself spoke to the media and delivered a simple and clear message.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) to me moments ago:
"Did I miss something? Was the weigh-in today? It's Friday, right? Today is Wednesday. There's nothing to be stressed about. I should be the one stressed, and I'm not."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 9, 2019
“Did I miss something? Was the weigh-in today? It’s Friday, right? Today is Wednesday. There’s nothing to be stressed about. I should be the one stressed, and I’m not.”
Joanna on Her Strawweight Plans
Joanna made it clear to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that she doesn’t know what the fuss is about. After all, weigh-ins for the event are still two days from now. And while Joanna thinks she should be the one that is stressed, she isn’t. In fact, Joanna plans on sticking to her original plan.
More from Joanna Jedrzejczyk:
"Before I signed this agreement, I made sure my next fight would be for the belt. I know Weili Zhang is having a problem with her visa. No problem. I will win on Saturday, and we can make it happen in Poland, National Stadium, 60,000 spectators."
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 9, 2019
Joanna is keen on facing strawweight champion, Weili Zhang. So much so, that before she signed her bout agreement with Waterson, she made sure that her next fight after would be a title fight, although she denied Zhang in the past. And, since Zhang’s recent visa issues to compete in the USA, Joanna would gladly welcome the fight to happen in Poland.
So maybe we shouldn’t be stressed either. After all, Joanna has never missed weight in her entire professional MMA career. Which, by the way, includes 18 fights over a span of 7 years.
As long as Joanna keeps her word and the athletic commissions don’t intervene, UFC Tampa’s main event should remain intact. If not, we’ll be here to keep you covered.
