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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Simon Samano and Danny Segura

Joanna Jedrzejczyk has ‘a clear head and strong heart’ to fight after being away for so long

MIAMI – It’s been two years since Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s last fight, but just because she hasn’t competed doesn’t mean she hasn’t been busy.

“My life is not only about fighting,” Jedrzejczyk, who released a biographic film during her time away, told MMA Junkie while attending Eagle FC 46. “People who know me from back in the days, they know that I’m busy with so many passions, hobbies, jobs. I’ve loved to work since I was a little girl, so I was always busy. I run my companies, I run my projects, my foundation, and maybe you didn’t see me fighting and you haven’t seen me fighting for 24 months, but I was really busy doing stuff mostly in Poland.”

Aside from the occasional visit to American Top Team, Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) hasn’t been all that focused on MMA – until now. The former UFC strawweight champion is ready to get back in the and said she “might be fighting very soon.”

Against whom? Well, that part isn’t settled. But she knows what she wants.

“I see myself facing big names only – Rose Namajunas, Carla Esparza or (Zhang Weili),” Jedrzejczyk said. “We all know Carla Esparza is next to face the champion, Rose Namajunas. So there’s (Zhang Weili) waiting on me.”

Asked if she believes that is the fight to make, Jedrzejczyk simply replied, “Might happen.”

Weili and Jedrzejczyk put on the Fight of the Year and one of the greatest bouts ever on March 7, 2020, which then-champion Weili won by split decision to retain the 115-pound title. Perhaps an immediate rematch would’ve been made if not for the COVID-19 pandemic taking over the world shortly after.

That contributed to Jedrzejczyk remaining out of action and focusing her energy on other personal business. If all goes right, Jedrzejczyk will get the Weili rematch soon as one of two bouts she hopes to have this year.

After focusing on personal business and being out of action for so long, fighting is back to being a priority.

“I really took time for myself as a woman, as a business woman, and I’m very happy with it,” Jedrzejczyk said. “So now I have a clear head and strong heart, and I’m ready to fight.”

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