UFC: Joanna Jedrzejczyk plans to negotiate new contract – ‘I deserve a bigger piece of cake’
- Refreshed and re-energised, Jedrzejczyk staying patient as she plots path back to UFC strawweight title
- Former champ has ‘tons of respect’ for Carla Esparza but insists Rose Namajunas is first in line to fight Zhang Weili
Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk is taking a patient approach to reclaiming the division’s throne.
Jedrzejczyk (16-4) was the strawweight queen from 2015 to 2017 and defended the belt a record-setting five times. After losing her title to Rose Namajunas (10-4), the Pole nearly reclaimed it in an all-out war with Zhang Weili (21-1) at UFC 248 in March, but lost via split decision.
The 33-year-old briefly considered retirement, but ultimately decided to fight again – with the caveat it wouldn’t happen until she was able to get back to her training home, American Top Team in South Florida.
Several weeks ago, she finally made her return to the Sunshine State. It was an energising experience and a promising sign for fans awaiting her comeback.
“It was eight months away from American Top Team and I was happy to be back,” Jedrzejczyk told SCMP MMA not long after her four-and-a-half week trip to Florida concluded. “I was training very hard and I’m even more motivated to fight again.