In a savvy move by the UFC’s matchmakers, strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s next title defense will come in the co-main event of the UFC 195: Rousey Vs Holm pay-per-view event on January 2nd.
If all goes according to plan that should be a rematch between Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha, though that match-up isn’t official yet as Gadelha is still recovering from an injury.
Assuming she heals up in time this should be another exciting fight between these two who’s first encounter was a back and forth battle that ended in a controversy due to punches being thrown after the bell and the judges awarding a razor thin split decision win to Jedrzejczyk.
Since then Jedrzejczyk has emerged as an unexpected rising star in the UFC, defeating the division’s inaugural champion Carla Esparza by TKO and then despatching Jessica Penne in a similarly ruthless fashion.
The world will be watching UFC 195 closely due to Rousey’s latest title fight against Holm in the main event, so it’s makes good business sense for the UFC to also be able to showcase Jedrzejczyk in the co-main event as the Polish striker has the potential to be female MMA’s next breakout star.
It’s also a big chance for Gadelha to not only get her revenge, but also steal Jedrzejczyk’s thunder, and she certainly has the skills to put up a real fight here, so let’s hope she does heal up in time to kick off 2016 in style.
