Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her life back.
Jedrzejczyk returns to action for the first time in over two years when she takes on Weili Zhang in a women’s strawweight rematch at UFC 275 next month.
With Carla Esparza becoming the new 115-pound champion, there’s a very good chance that a win for Jedrzejczyk could see her get a rematch with the champion and potentially regain her title.
And while there were doubts as to whether Jedrzejczyk would compete again given her long hiatus, she’s finally ready to compete and become a champion again.
More than anything, she wants her life back.
“I know what my dream is, being the champ,” Jedrzejczyk said in a recent interview. “There is no shortcut. I need to get these big fights and only big money. … Easy fight doesn’t mean easy camp.
“… I used to say there was no pressure when I was the champion. … There was tons of pressure, I wanted to make everyone happy. My family, my friends, my management, the UFC, Dana, I love all of them but I forgot about myself. I want my life again. Losing the belt, I want my life again.”
No Pressure For Jedrzejczyk This Time
While Jedrzejczyk did hint that she was retired at one point, she claims her two years out was simply down to her own choice.
And with no pressure now, she feels better than ever ahead of her return. She also feels she beat Zhang in their epic first battle in 2020 which is why she will enter the rematch extremely confident.
“Now, there’s no pressure,” she added. “I was out for two years because I decided to be out for two years. … I’m in the best shape ever. I’m 34, I’m turning 35 in three months. The weight cut is easy, everything is just easier, more smart and I can’t wait to rock and roll.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in this fight but you know what? I won the last fight. I will step into the Octagon with this confidence that, ‘hey, I won the last fight, it was close, she got the decision but I’m better.'”
You can watch the snippet below:
"Losing the belt, I won my life again."
Ahead of her #UFC275 rematch with Weili Zhang, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) discusses her mentality on her quest for a 2nd SW title. 👀
FULL interview w/ @ReneePaquette & @MieshaTate available now! ⬇️https://t.co/YSbvGaQ3Sw pic.twitter.com/tl9KW7x9t1
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) May 25, 2022
