Joanna Jedrzejczyk is a Polish mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2014 to 2022. She is the former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, having held the title from 2015 to 2017. Jedrzejczyk is known for her aggressive fighting style and her powerful striking. She is also a black belt in karate and a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Jedrzejczyk made her professional MMA debut in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks. She won her first 15 fights, all by stoppage, before challenging Carla Esparza for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at UFC 185 in 2015. Jedrzejczyk won the fight by unanimous decision and became the first Polish UFC champion.
Jedrzejczyk successfully defended her title five times, defeating the likes of Jessica Penne, Claudia Gadelha, and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. She lost the title to Rose Namajunas at UFC 217 in 2017. Jedrzejczyk avenged the loss in an immediate rematch at UFC 223, but lost again to Namajunas at UFC 248 in 2020.
Jedrzejczyk fought Zhang Weili twice, in 2018 and 2022. The first fight was a five-round war that ended in a split-decision draw. The second fight was even more exciting, with Jedrzejczyk winning by split decision in a fight that many consider to be one of the greatest in UFC history.
Jedrzejczyk retired from MMA after her second fight with Zhang Weili. She finished her career with a record of 16-5-0, with 4 wins by knockout and 1 win by submission. She is considered one of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time.
Jedrzejczyk Fight Highlights
UFC 185: Jedrzejczyk vs. Esparza – Jedrzejczyk won the fight by unanimous decision to become the first UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.
UFC 205: Jedrzejczyk vs. Gadelha – Jedrzejczyk won the fight by unanimous decision to defend her title for the third time.
UFC 217: Jedrzejczyk vs. Namajunas – Namajunas won the fight by knockout in the first round to become the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is a true pioneer in women’s MMA. She is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport, and her legacy will continue to inspire fighters for years to come.