Just because Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants a bigger piece of the UFC cake doesn’t mean she’s going to get it.
Jedrzejczyk , who hasn’t competed since her loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 248 back in Mar. 2020, was recently yanked from UFC’s official rankings. While “Joanna Champ” is still one of the very best female fighters in the sport today her inactivity over the past 18 months has left her on the outside looking in entering 2022.
That said, the former UFC women’s strawweight champion believes she still deserves a shot at the title when she returns and a bigger piece of the PPV pie. The promotion is not typically in the business of granting automatic title shots and boosting PPV paydays unless for Conor McGregor so Jedrzejczyk may be fighting an uphill battle.
According to UFC president Dana White, Jedrzejczyk made more than enough when she was champion. White also doesn’t believe the promotion can continue to grant Joanna title shots every time she competes.
“Joanna ate a lot of cake when she was champion, you know what I mean? She was the champ, she did very, very well, deservedly. She’s a little savage and I love that kid,” White told MMA Fighting. “She was telling us she only wants to fight title fights, but that’s not really how it works.”
Jedrzejczyk , who turned 34 this past August, has competed in 10 title fights over her last 12 Octagon appearances. The only fights not contested for a UFC belt came against Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres, which Jedrzejczyk won both via decision. Even though she doesn’t want to have to fight her way back to the top Joanna will likely have to win at least one fight to wiggle her way into another shot at UFC gold.
What do you think? Should Jedrzejczyk get a title shot in her return to action? Does she deserve more money/points?
Sound off!