Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk retired from fighting in June 2022 following a knockout loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275.
She made her octagon debut in July 2015 on the UFC on FOX 12 preliminary fight card. In her second UFC appearance, Jedrzejczyk was booked as the featured prelim fight leading into the UFC on FOX 13 main card. In her third UFC bout, she became the first Polish-born champion in UFC history by viciously taking out then-titleholder Carla Esparza. Joanna “Champion” had arrived.
She successfully defended the women’s 115-pound championship five times and solidified herself as one of the greatest women fighters to ever grace the cage. Three years into retirement, Jderzejczyk admittedly misses it sometimes.
“I’m a very honest person. I’m very transparent. This morning I said to Jenny, my manager and my good friend, Jenny, I would love to fight. I’ve been saying this for the last three years since I retired, but I want to be loyal to my decision,” Jedrzejczyk said on the On Paper with Anthony Smith podcast.
“I’m not going to lie. I’m 38, and it’s difficult to compete with girls who are 28. But I see I would still be good in some things. So, it’s hard. It’s hard.”
Jędrzejczyk was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame last year. She has nothing left to prove inside the octagon, but the itch to compete remains.
“If you ask me again, I’d love to be back for this one (a female BMF fight). I’m first in line actually,” she said.
“What I want to say is, guys, if you want to retire and if you’re still healthy, if you’re thinking about retirement, think twice. It’s hard. It’s hard to digest. I really believe, and I bet that I will miss the sport forever.”
“I would love to do it once again,” Jedrzejczyk continued.