Dominant UFC bantamweight champion Joanna Jedrzeczyk has a big fight looming against Jessica Andrade in the co-main event of UFC 211 on May 13th, but the Polish sensation is already casting her eye towards who may be next to challenge for her title.
Jedrzeczyk appears to be anticipating that the winner of the Michelle Waterson Vs Rose Namajunas fight at UFC On FOX 24 in April will establish who is next to fight for the belt, and she thinks she has a good idea who’s going to come out on top.
“I’m impressed with [Waterson],” Jedrzejczyk told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “Let’s see. She has a good fight coming up with Rose, so we will see. We will see. I think that she might be my next challenger after I beat Jessica.”
Waterson has been getting a promotional push recently after the former Invicta FC Atomweight champion emerged victorious in her first two UFC fights, submitting both Angela Megana and Paige VanZant to move up to the No.6 spot in the division.
Two places above her is Namajunas, who recently had a three-fight winning streak snapped by a split decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and it seems Jedrzeczyk has doubts about ‘Thug Rose’s’ mental state.
“You know what’s weird? Like, I met Rose. I have so much respect for this girl,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I think she’s one of the most talented strawweights in the UFC, but she needs more experience. But, I think there is something wrong with her head.
“She got her chance to fight the Polish chick [Kowalkiewicz]. But she lost to her and now she says ‘oh, I want to fight Joanna, I want to beat her, I know how to beat her.’ Come on. Get your chance, beat the best, and become a challenger. It’s so crazy.”
JJ then went into more detail about her doubts about the 24-year-old former title contender.
“The thing is, like, I met her in Denver. We shake hands, we spoke to each other. And two days after, I heard that she was like, ‘oh, I want to beat Joanna.’ Shut up. You had your chance to beat Karolina and Carla Esparza before, and some others, but you just lost. Come on. Work hard, get your ass to the gym, put on better fights, and you’re going to get this title shot.
“But be honest. If you don’t like me, don’t shake my hand and don’t talk to me. Don’t talk behind my back. I’m kind of a straight person and this is what makes me mad. I’m good with that, but I think Michelle Waterson will [beat] Rose.”
