The fighting lady with the crazy name. That is how best I’ll remember Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Jedrzejczyk quickly taught me the use of copy and paste while doing play-by-play for UFC events. It definitely saved me countless errors and plenty of time while writing.
But Jedrzejczyk will also be remembered as one of the best the fighting world has witnessed.
After a loss to Zhang Weili in a meeting of former champions at UFC 275 this past weekend, Jedrzejczyk decided to retire. Will it stick? We never know.
“It was just the moment,” Jedrzejczyk said during the post-fight press conference. “I had it in the back of my head like maybe there was one day maybe a year ago if something happened I might retire. I’ve been in this business for the last 19 years. Lots of investment from myself.
“It’s time to enjoy my life.”
Jedrzejczyk is 35-year-old, though, you would be hard-pressed to tell that by looking at her. She’s kept herself in incredible shape over the course of a 21-fight MMA career and a combat sports run that includes kickboxing and Muay Thai bouts.
Asked about her legacy after the decision, Jedrzejczyk said “I had no time to sit on it and think about my legacy and how big it is.
“I’m a hard worker,” she said. “I always dedicate myself. I give as much as I can and I get as much as I can the same way but now it’s time to fully really enjoy it. Spend time with my family.”
