Joanna Jedrzejczyk was not only a dominant champion in her prime, but she was also involved in some incredible wars.
Her battle against Zhang Weili for the strawweight title at UFC 248 was one for the ages. It was MMA Junkie’s 2020 Fight of the Year, and has now been enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame.
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“We brought female MMA, women’s MMA on a different level that night,” Jedrzejczyk told MMA Junkie and other reporters on the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “We showed to people that we limit ourselves and we should always give ourselves a chance, another round, when we walk through the rain or thunder in our lives.”
Jedrzejczyk racked up a record six title defenses during her first strawweight title reign. Her bout against Weili was an opportunity to become a two-time champion, but it wasn’t to be. The official judges were split in their decision, turning in dueling 48-47 scores. Only the third round of the fight was scored unanimously, which was in Jedrzejczyk’s favor.
When Jedrzejczyk was asked if she thought the judges made the correct decision that night, a big smile grew, but a humble answer followed after a short pause.
“I lost that fight in judges’ decision,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I lost that fight. I expected to win. It would be sweeter if I won the fight, and I would become the UFC strawweight champion once again, but sometimes you have to lose to win much more, and I feel it had to be this way. It didn’t hurt me. From time perspective, I’m going to say it didn’t hurt me ’cause either one would win, and would be fine.
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“She won that night, and I had my time. We would love to do this forever – it’s impossible. I had a successful and really dominant career in my life I’m proud of.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joanna Jedrzejczyk reflects on Hall of Fame bout that elevated women’s MMA
