Former undisputed UFC strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has claimed she recently turned down the offer of a title shot toward the end of 2022 by the organization, as she plans to return to the Octagon much sooner than the end of this year.
The Polish striker, who has been out of action for almost two years, has yet to feature since dropping a close decision loss to former champion, Zhang Weili at UFC 248 back in March 2020 in the consensus Fight of the Year.
Jedrzejczytk was also recently removed from both the official pound-for-pound and strawweight rankings by the organization due to inactivity.
The Olsztyn native boasts a 16-4 professional mixed martial arts record, establishing a 2-4 run in her last six outings under the promotion’s banner.
Before her title challenge loss to Weili, Jedrzejczyk had returned from a brief flyweight title excursion and loss to Valentina Shevchenko with a unanimous decision win over Michelle Waterson in October 2019.
The 34-year-old, who had recently announced intentions to challenge either current champion, Rose Namajunas, or former titleholder, Weili in her return to the promotion, appears to have also seen a potential re-run with Carla Esparza scuppered as the Torrance native approaches a title rematch of her own against Namajunas.
Speaking with Kanal Sportowy recently, Jedrzejczyk claimed UFC president, Dana White had approached her with a title fight which would take place in November or December of this year, however, she intends to return much sooner than that – welcoming a rematch with Weili in the process.
“I thought it might be Carla Esparza (next), but it’s been confirmed she is next to fight for the championship,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk said. “There was also (Marina) Rodriguez, but she fights Yan (Xiaonan) in March, so that leaves (Zhang) Weili.”
“I don’t see any other fight,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk continued. “Dana (White) made me an offer to fight for the championship, but I would have to wait until November (or) December and I don’t want to wait. I want to fight.”
The promotion’s second-ever strawweight champion, Jedrzejczyk defeated inaugural gold holder, Esparza back in March 2015 before lodging five straight title defenses against Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and former undisputed strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade.
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