Joanna Jedrzejczyk Eyes Weili Zhang Rematch After Two-Year Layoff

It’s been almost two years since Joanna Jedrzejczyk last fought, suffering a split decision loss in a title fight with Weili Zhang, and now as she looks to finally make her return to the Octagon it seems that a rematch between the two could well be on the cards.

“Everyone thinks I’m not in the UFC anymore,” Jedrzejczyk told Kanal Sportowy. “I am, I just dropped out of the rankings, because I haven’t fought for a dozen or so months. But I’m coming back and fighting (the No. 1 contender). It will probably be Zhang Weili.”

The 34-year-old Jedrzejczyk did however reveal that Dana White actually offered her a title fight next, but she’d have to wait around until much later in the year for the opportunity – an option she’s since ruled out.

“Dana made me an offer to fight for the championship, but I would have to wait until November, December and I don’t want to wait. I want to fight.”

And meanwhile all the other top contenders are currently booked up, so a fight with fellow former champ Zhang makes the most sense.

“I thought it might be Carla Esparza, but (it’s) confirmed that she is the next to fight the championship,” Jedrzejczyk said. “Somewhere there is (Maria) Rodriguez, who also fights Yan (Xiaonan) in March, and (then it) becomes Zhang Weili. I don’t see any other fight. Just going for the belt.”

Ross Cole
Ross launched MMA Insight (previously FightOfTheNight.com) in 2009 as a way to channel his passion for the sport of mixed martial arts. He's since penned countless news stories and live fight reports along with dozens of feature articles as the lead writer for the site, reaching millions of fans in the process.