LOS ANGELES — UFC president Dana White butchered her name on multiple occasions during the Welcome to the Show press conference. That’s nothing new for Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
The UFC women’s strawweight top contender said Americans won’t have to worry about that intimidating collection of consonants for much longer.
“Soon, they’re gonna call me Joanna Champion,” Jedrzejczyk told MMAFighting.com.
The undefeated Jedrzejczyk (8-0) will challenge Carla Esparza for the women’s 115-pound title in the co-main event of UFC 185 on March 14 in Dallas. The two had a heated staredown last weekend with Jedrzejczyk holding up her finger to signify she’s No. 1. Esparza then did the same thing and Jedrzejczyk waved her hand as if to brush it away.
“Before the fight with [Claudia] Gadelha, I told her that I am No. 1 and I did it in the fight,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I showed her that I am the best. Now, I’m going to do the same thing with Carla.”
Jedrzejczyk, 27, beat Gadelha, a heavy favorite, by split decision at UFC on FOX 13 in December for her second straight victory in the UFC. That win earned her the title shot against Esparza, who became the UFC’s inaugural women’s strawweight titleholder when she beat Rose Namajunas at the Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale in December.
Jedrzejczyk said she wasn’t too pleased with a meme Esparza posted on social media when the fight was announced in January. The Poland native said a fan created it, but Esparza “shouldn’t upload it.” Jedrzejczyk plans on dealing with those issues in the Octagon, though.
“I have lots of power in my hands,” she said. “You’re gonna see. And she’s gonna feel it.”
After attending the press conference and UFC 184, Jedrzejczyk was off to Las Vegas to finish out her training camp at Drysdale Jiu Jitsu and Syndicate MMA. She’ll seek out female sparring partners to put the finishing touches on before the title fight.
Jedrzejczyk said she would have liked for the fight to be in Poland. The UFC is coming to the country for the first time April 11, an event that will be held in Krakow and headlined by Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga. But competing on the card wasn’t that important to her. Jedrzejczyk said she likes fighting in the United States and will likely be on the card the next time the UFC comes to Poland.
Besides, Jedrzejczyk will be in attendance in Krakow that night. She already has plans for a victory celebration.
“I will go there,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I must show my belt for everyone. I’m gonna be a special guest.”