Weili Zhang blasts Joanna for joke about coronavirus

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC

Joanna Jedrzejczyk apologizes to Weili Zhang for making a joke about the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk isn’t one to shy away from a little pre-fight banter and mental warfare in the leadup to her fights, but the Polish fighter may have gone a step too far in her latest Instagram story.

Jedrzejczyk made a rather insensitive joke about the coronavirus outbreak in China ahead of her upcoming title fight against Chinese strawweight champion Weili Zhang at UFC 248, but the former champ immediately apologized after seeing Zhang’s reaction.

“To make fun of tragedy is a true sign of ones character. People are dying, someones father, someones mother, someones child. Say what you want about me if it makes you feel stronger but do not joke about what’s happening here. I wish you good health until March 7th. I will see you soon,” Zhang responded on Instagram.

Joanna issued the following apology, per Brent Brookhouse of CBSSports.

“Hey champ, hey Weili,” Jedrzejczyk said. “So sorry to make you feel bad, but I would never make fun of people with an illness or virus. I didn’t want you to get offended, but I just made fun of the funny internet meme. So, so sorry, but still, I will see you on March 7 and don’t get emotional, OK?”

As of Wednesday morning, the deadly virus has killed well over 100 people in China, with roughly 6,000 infected across several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Japan.

UFC 248, which features Zhang vs. Jedrzejczyk as the co-main event, is scheduled to take place on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view will be headlined by middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero.