Joanna Jedrzejczyk plans to fight at UFC Tampa
Don’t count Joanna Jedrzejczyk out just yet.
This morning the MMA world was in shocked when Brazilian outlet Combate first reported that this weekend’s main event between Jedrzejczyk and Michele Waterson was in jeopardy.
The report claimed that the former UFC strawweight champion informed the UFC over a week ago that she would not be able to make the 116-pound weight limit.
Following the news, reports started coming out saying the UFC was exploring a number of different options for Saturday’s main event in Tampa, Florida. One option being reported was that Waterson would be moved to UFC 244 on Nov. 2, where she’d fight former champion Jessica Andrade.
This afternoon Jedrzejczyk practically put an end to all rumors by speaking out in a series of Instagram stories.
“I don’t know what’s going on, the weigh-ins are tomorrow [They’re scheduled for Friday morning] and you’re all worried about it,” she said. “The fight is on, the weighs-in are on Friday. Keep it calm, guys. All fine, step by step. I will see you there.
“Did I miss something? Did I miss the weigh-ins today or what? Because the weigh-ins are on Friday, isn’t it?”
That’s not all she had to say. She also posted two photos of her working out covered in sweat. One post read, “FOCUSED,” while the other posted had two hastags that said stay calm and everything is fine.
Following those posts she then went back to her Instagram story early Wednesday evening, which showed her throwing a kick and said, “It’s On!”
If Jedrzejczyk misses weight on Friday, she’ll have to pay Waterson 30 percent of her purse, per the Florida State Boxing Commission.
Jedrzejczyk last fought at 125 pounds when she challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title in December at UFC 231.
The Polish fighter has had problems making weight in the past. In 2017, she claims she had to lose 15 pounds in 14 hours, which lead to her losing her belt to Rose Namajunas.
Despite the struggle to make weight, she wants to compete at strawweight in order to get her belt back. In August, American Top Team owner Dan Lambert said that the UFC promised her a title fight if she can defeat Waterson.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk was one of the most dominant champions ever in UFC history. She successfully defended her strawweight championship five times. She also holds the UFC record for championship fights by a woman fighter by appearing in nine title fights.
