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Joanna Jedrzejczyk undoubtedly had totally different expectations for the rematch between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza forward of UFC 274.
In a prediction made when speaking to MMA Fighting, the ex-UFC strawweight champion picked Namajunas to earn a “first-round end” however there was no knockout, no submission and, reality be instructed, little or no motion over 5 rounds earlier than Esparza eked out a cut up resolution win to reclaim the 115-pound title.
Whereas the struggle didn’t play out the best way she anticipated, Jedrzjeczyk, who returns for a rematch in opposition to Zhang Weili at UFC 275, nonetheless believes Namajunas did sufficient to safe the victory. Nevertheless, she undoubtedly wasn’t impressed by what she noticed out of Esparza over 5 rounds.
“I used to be very stunned,” Jedrzejczyk instructed MMA Preventing on the UFC 275 pre-fight press convention. “As a result of typically it’s a must to do extra, it’s a must to do rather more to beat the champion however you recognize I can communicate for myself. I can’t communicate for Rose however I don’t know what occurred. If you really feel that the primary spherical wasn’t good and the second [round], it’s a must to do one thing. Generally it’s a must to threat to get the victory even paying an enormous value. I don’t know what occurred. Till the tip of the struggle, I believed that Rose obtained it however no and right here we go.
“Like Carla, I actually thought she was going to look higher and I used to be like this lady deserved the title shot, she had so many [fights] on her win streak however for me, she seemed the identical as seven years in the past after we fought for the belt in Dallas. Historical past likes to make a circle and [I’m] quickly to be champ.”
Jedrzejczyk was the one who dethroned Esparza with a brutal second-round knockout after Esparza turned the UFC’s inaugural strawweight champion following The Final Fighter season 20.
She went onto defend the title 5 instances, which stays the document for the division, and Jedrzejczyk has been anxious for a chance to reclaim the belt, a need that solely blossomed additional after watching Esparza grow to be champion once more.
“I understand how huge my legacy is,” Jedrzejczyk stated. “I’ve acquired so many messages from Polish folks, from folks everywhere in the world after the struggle [at UFC 274] and a few of them are like ‘I’m so sorry, I used to be hating on you since you took just a few losses however you’re the actual GOAT. I didn’t know you had been holding the belt for such a very long time.’ That’s the factor, individuals are like, ‘You aren’t the queen anymore.’ Sure, I’m the queen of the strawweight division. I placed on hell of a piece and many effort constructing this division. It’s the lightest division within the UFC however folks watching the strawweights and we all the time placed on nice fights. Me, Weili Zhang, Rose and different women as nicely.
“After this weekend, I really feel much more motivated. I’m drained as a result of I’ve been coaching so exhausting for my struggle with Weili Zhang since January. I obtained again to American Prime Group in the course of January and I’ve been coaching from 11 to 13 instances per week within the final 4 months. Earlier than the weekend, I used to be like I have to make some changes in my coaching schedule however after what I’ve seen at UFC 274, I’m extra motivated and I simply need to do extra to win.”
Jedrzejczyk additionally despatched some phrases of encouragement to Namajunas after a troublesome outing this previous Saturday as a result of she’s endured some devastating losses of her personal over time.
“It is a robust enterprise and I really feel so sorry for Rose,” Jedrzejczyk stated. “She doesn’t must be sorry. It’s a troublesome enterprise. It seems to be straightforward and that’s the craziest [thing] about this sport. It’s the fantastic thing about this sport that we carry out, that we practice. We do the burden cuts. We don’t see our household, buddies for a very long time and typically once you step into the octagon it’s not your night time.
“I took huge losses in my preventing profession but it surely doesn’t outline you. You must preserve your head up and alter some issues and get again proper to the highest. It’s taken some time however I’m tremendous motivated, disciplined and prepared for my upcoming struggle with Weili Zhang.”
UFC President Dana White has already focused the struggle between Jedrzejczyk and Zhang as a possible No. 1 contender’s bout with the winner doubtless to attract the primary shot at Esparza as the brand new champion.
That’s what Jedrzejczyk already anticipated heading into UFC 275, however now it’s upped the ante as she seeks revenge in opposition to Zhang with plans to then take the title away from Esparza for a second time.
“I do know it’s the precise time,” Jedrzejczyk stated. “I’m in the precise place to be again proper to the highest, to having this belt.”
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