UFC Fight Night 69 was a solid card full of young, interesting talent. While there was plenty to get excited about, nobody got as much attention as UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
The Polish striker retained her title with a brutal, bloody win over Jessica Penne on Saturday. The champ had the MMA universe talking about her merciless punches and Penne’s inhuman toughness.
The first round was not an enormous blowout. Jedrzejczyk tagged Penne, scoring a knockdown, but fans weren’t squirming in their seats…yet.
Rd 1 goes to Joanna with the most meaningful strike dropping penne. Penne clearly trying to take it to the ground
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 20, 2015
Jedrzejczyk’s furious scrambling and defensive wrestling ability continues to amaze me.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) June 20, 2015
Interested to see how the altitude in Mexico impacts this fight. #UFCBerlin
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) June 20, 2015
In the second round, Jedrzejczyk upped her volume in a big way, landing punches and elbows. Penne tried to work things to the ground, but the size differential was profound. The challenger ate fists on fists and had her nose sliced wide open.
Penne just walking forward into Jędrzejczyk’s strikes to try and close the distance. #UFCBerlin
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatumMMA) June 20, 2015
Jedrzejczyk is such a treat to watch. Her combinations and striking choices are A+. She just smashed Penne’s nose with an elbow.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) June 20, 2015
Front kick to the face by Joanna. This girl has some offense.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) June 20, 2015
Her nose is destroyed, damn
— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) June 20, 2015
While Penne would survive into the third round, the fight was completely out of hand by that point. Jedrzejczyk continued to pour on punishment until referee Marc Goddard waved things to a close.
Jedrzejczyk is a pitbull with a squeaky toy right now.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 20, 2015
JJ has landed about 50 strikes DIRECTLY to that nose in the past like 100 seconds.
— Iain Kidd (@iainkidd) June 20, 2015
Finally, Marc Goodard calls the fight. Joanna Jedrzejczyk retains UFC women’s strawweight title
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) June 20, 2015
Damn. Jedrzejczyk finally gets the stoppage, jumps up on the cage and yells “Who’s next?” Huge statement by the champ. #UFCBerlin
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) June 20, 2015
All too happy with that mercy stoppage. Penne is tough as nails, which was precisely the problem.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) June 20, 2015
It was a dominant performance by Jedrzejczyk—the kind a new champion needs to build up her brand. And boy, does her star continue to rise.
Hardy asks if there’s any woman who’d be a challenge for Joanna- “Are they ready for me?” Cause I’m coming and hell’s coming with me!!!
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) June 20, 2015
Awww so sweet she’s talking up her sparring partner! Joanna Champion 4eva
— Sydnie Jones (@syd1138) June 20, 2015
That is one terrifyingly awesome woman.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) June 20, 2015
What’s next for her? That is anyone’s guess. Either way, it’s hard not to worry for her next challenger.
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