Joanna Jedrzejczyk believes she will be back in the Octagon in the very near future. The former UFC strawweight champion, who collected a record-setting five consecutive title defences between 2015 and 2017, has not fought since a March 2020 split decision loss to China’s Zhang Weili. She had since made it clear she intended to fight again – but not until she was able to return to her training home of American Top Team in Florida, and until the UFC welcomed fans back to its events. With the United States gradually opening up, and the UFC once again packing arenas, all of the 33-year-old’s prerequisites have seemingly been met. “[The comeback is] very close – actually very close,” Jedrzejczyk told SCMP MMA from her home in Poland. “I spoke with my management and people who are Team Joanna. We spoke with [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard]. We’ll see what happens next. I can’t wait to get back to American Top Team. It’s soon. It’s happening very soon.” Those conversations were apparently so fruitful that preliminary fight plans are already in motion. “Actually, there is [something on the table], but I can’t talk about it,” she said. “We’ll see what’s going to happen.” As far as potential opponents go, Jedrzejczyk (16-4) is a big-game hunter, gunning only for the champion Rose Namajunas (10-4) and other big stars like Zhang (21-2). UFC: Zhang Weili wants ‘neutral’ rematch with Namajunas in Abu Dhabi Fights with rising contenders like Mariana Rodriguez, who defeated Michelle Waterson last weekend, are simply not on her menu. “No,” Jedrzejczyk said bluntly when asked about fighting the Brazilian. “I don’t need it. They need me, but I don’t need them. “I just want to fight the best,” she added. “Anything can happen in the UFC, and all the fighters deserve the best, but I’m only interested in big fights: Weili Zhang or Rose Namajunas.” One way or the other, Jedrzejczyk is motivated to return to the cage as soon as the right opportunity materialises. “I feel this fire inside,” she said. “I know I will be back. It’s a matter of time. I’ve been doing this for the last 18 years and I love it. Even if I take a longer break, every day I think about – going back to fighting. “It’s going to be very beautiful [to fight again].”