Issue 129
June 2015
Joanna Jedrzejczyk become a global star when she destroyed Carla Esparza to become the first European UFC women’s champ. She tells FO about life at the top
Did you expect to dominate Carla Esparza at UFC 185 in quite the manner you did?
“I did, I did; I spent six months thinking about her. I knew I’d use my kicks a lot because she doesn’t kick like I do. I definitely had a good feeling about the fight. I expected to win, but I really expected a hard fight; I expected five rounds. I couldn’t believe it was over so quick.”
Do you have your eye on anyone in particular in your division?
“I’d like to fight all of them; nobody can stop me. I’m going to keep this belt for a very long time. I’m training harder and harder every day. Nobody can beat me.
Yes, I like to fight but I don’t know what’s going to happen next.
You have an all-action and entertaining fighting style, but does it come naturally?
“I’m confident that I know how to fight, and I’m very technical. I train my wrestling, grappling and jiu-jitsu every day; and my style is getting better all the time. I can punch, kick and wrestle, and I like going to the ground because I feel good there. And while I train every day, the preparation I did for this fight was the toughest I’ve ever done in my life, and I did my job, so I’m happy. When fighters get into the Octagon, we are fighting for the fans, and they are coming to the show, and we always do our best for them.”
Do you think your sprawl-and-brawl style could beat Ronda Rousey?
“Ronda is the best, and I don’t think anybody can beat her. They can try but they’re not going to do it. She is just perfect. Her boxing is very good and it’s getting better. She is training so hard every day. When you are in position, she is just going to throw you and then finish you with an armbar.”
How much have you and your family sacrificed to achieve your dream of becoming champion?
“They have helped me a lot. I started MMA three years ago and they have been with me every step of the way. They understand how hard the job of being a fighter in the UFC is. But I am happy I chose the UFC and not some other European organization. I am happy to be part of the UFC.”
Do you think your fighting style will help draw more attention to the strawweight division?
“Yes, of course. I like to fight and the fans seem to like watching me, but the division is still young. There are so many good fighters at strawweight, but I just do my job, and if the fans like it, then I’m happy.”
You have a very unusual stare down: why do you crouch while eyeballing your opponent?
“It’s just something I do because I want to stare in to my opponent’s eyes. It makes me feel better, and makes me feel like I’m the best. Plus, it shows my opponent I’m not afraid.”
How did it feel to return to Poland as UFC champion?
“It was great. I only live 50km from Warsaw, and even the taxi driver who took me home after the fight asked what had happened. I was so happy to see the emotion and have my team, my coach and my sparring partners around me following the fight. Even looking back on it right now, I’m so happy. Yes, it was very emotional.”
The UFC have just agreed a TV deal with Extreme Sports in Poland, are you excited to get on TV at home?
“Yes, the UFC coming to Poland for the first time was awesome. MMA is going to get to a higher level now and it’s going to change a lot here. I chose the UFC over other organizations; I chose the best for a reason and now with the TV deal I am excited to defend my belt on TV.”
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