Jedrzejczyk On Zhang Rematch: ‘They Need This Big-Money Fight’

Always one to put on a show for fans, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has wowed audiences for years. Her latest bout against UFC Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang was an instant classic. It showcased the best MMA for five rounds. Now, Joanna wants to run it back.

The Fight of the Night at UFC 248 on March 7, it has a chance to win Fight of the Year. Although she lost via split decision, Joanna (16-4) is proud of her bout, one that UFC President Dana White has praised quite a few times. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Joanna reflected on the contest.

“I’m very happy that I could give people what they always want,” Jedrzejczyk stated. “I put so much work in camp for so many weeks and I put on a hell of a fight. I’m very happy. It was probably one of the best fights in my fighting career, but I’m proud of every fight. … It was a war. I know people want this fight, and I need to rewatch it because I haven’t watched it.”

During the bout, Joanna and Zhang (21-1) put their literal blood, sweat and tears into it. When it came to landing for contact, Zhang hit 165-of-408 significant strikes (170 total) while Joanna landed 186-of-350 (196 total). Joanna ended up getting a huge hematoma on her forehead as well as a broken nose. With Zhang bleeding from the nose and Joanna’s leg swelling up, both split the first few rounds. The crowd in Las Vegas gave them a standing ovation afterward.

That was Joanna’s fourth loss in six fights, but it was one of her best efforts since she was UFC Strawweight Champion. Her goals for the future? To get a rematch with Zhang.

“The way we fought last time, we’re both warriors, and the people want to see it because it was so close,” Jedrzejczyk went on to say. “There’s so many girls who deserve this, but I think I’m the one.”

“The UFC – we need big fights, and my fight with Weili Zhang is going to be big. So they need this big-money fight. We’ll see. I don’t know.”

Due to the coronavirus situation and traveling issues, it is unknown when both will be able to fight again. If a rematch were to take place, it would most likely be a main event spot. For Joanna, that is the only way she wants it. She also can only see it resulting in a big payday for her.

“Big money – that’s it. That’s what I want,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I don’t need to make more money, but it’s a money fight, and I want a pice of this cake. This fight is a big fight. We were not the main event, (but) we put on a hell of a fight.”