A thrilling night of upsets saw three UFC champions lose their titles. First among them was the previously undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who dropped her UFC women’s strawweight belt to Rose Namajunas after a KO that came in the very first round.
The build-up to the fight was contentious, with Jedrzejczyk seemingly doing all she could to rattle Namajunas. At the ceremonial weigh-ins Jedrzejczyk went as far as to touch her fist on her opponent’s lips, in a scene reminiscent of Ronda Rousey flailing at Holly Holm on the eve of UFC 193; an event that would see Rousey lose her own UFC title and undefeated record.
At the UFC 217 press conference Jedrzejczyk was asked whether emotions – as demonstrated at the weigh-in – were one of the reasons behind her stunning loss. The former champion shut down the implication immediately.
“No no, please don’t compare me to Ronda Rousey and I love her so much and we have very good relationship, but please let’s leave this bullshit away,” said the former champion. “I never take fights personal and I’m not emotional when fighting.”
“This is what happens,” added Jedrzejczyk. “Big congrats to Rose, I’m happy for her, but it was not personal, you know? This is what happened. The things which happened before the fight had nothing to do with this fight. It was a good punch, she cut me off, I really don’t know what happened, but it’s the fight you know? We take these risks.”
Jedrzejczyk was then asked whether she believed she deserved a rematch with the new champion Namajunas.
“I will sit and talk to Dana and the UFC, I think I’ve been a good athlete and a good champion for the UFC. I think I deserve the rematch. If I get the rematch we will see, I am looking forwards.”
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