Joanna Jedrzejczyk has not fought since she lost a split decision to Weili Zhang at UFC 248. It was a phenomenal fight and many thought a rematch would be next, but there has been no talk about her return.
Now, according to her coach, Mike Brown, Joanna Jedrzejczyk will only return for something significant as she has proven everything.
“She’s been there, done that, done it all,” Brown told MMA Junkie. “She was a UFC champion for many years and is maybe tied for most title fights – she’s up there for one of the most decorated female fighters of all time, and it’s gotta be something big to draw her in. She’s not gonna fight some small rinky-dink fight that doesn’t mean anything.”
“I think it’s going to take something to excite her, something significant to get her off the couch and get her into the cage. But she’s definitely willing and ready and eager and wanting that, but I don’t think at this point in her career she’s going to fight for peanuts or to prove herself. She has nothing to prove. She was a world champion for years, and it has to be something to excite her.”
According to Brown, although Dana White has said it will be Rose Namajunas or Carla Esparza next, the ATT coach knows Jedrzejczyk is always in the title picture.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is currently 16-4 as a pro but is 2-4 in her last six. However, the former strawweight queen is still ranked second in the division. She also holds notable wins over Esparza, Michelle Waterson, Claudia Gadelha, and Tecia Torres among others.
When Jedrzejczyk will fight again is uncertain. But, if Brown is to be believed, it will likely only be for a title fight or a big named opponent. Regardless, the hope for many is the former champ returns soon.