Joanna Jędrzejczyk, the former UFC champion, has surprised fans globally with her recent announcement regarding a potential return to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Following her defeat against Weili Zhang in June 2022, which marked the conclusion of her sports career, many believed they had witnessed her final bout in the octagon. However, it appears that the Polish fighter has other plans in store.
In an unexpected turn of events, Jędrzejczyk hinted at her comeback to MMA through a post on her official Facebook fan page, catching many off guard, especially those who had accepted her retirement as final.
Throughout her illustrious career, Jędrzejczyk displayed her prowess in the ring, triumphing in 16 fights while encountering defeat only five times, primarily towards the latter part of her career. Despite these setbacks, her journey served as an inspiration for numerous young women aspiring to excel in mixed martial arts.
Recently, she candidly shared a distressing experience involving a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Despite not grappling with claustrophobia, the MRI induced discomfort, leading her to pledge that it would mark her final encounter with such scans.
“I’ve received the MRI results, and in two weeks, I’ll be heading to Bielsko for a consultation with Dr. Brzóski. I’m hopeful to receive clearance for a full return to top-tier training. I miss MMA, boxing, grappling, rallies, and competitions,” she conveyed in her Facebook post.
Emphasizing the profound impact of her two-decade-long sporting career, Jędrzejczyk highlighted her need for the discipline, risk, adrenaline, and competitive fervour inherent in sports, attributing these elements to her ‘normal’ functioning in everyday life.
As the curtains draw on 2023, the athlete not only shared recent experiences but also outlined her athletic ambitions for the next 12 months. Among these goals, one shines conspicuously—a fight to commemorate her 40th birthday.
Her sporting aspirations for the upcoming year encompass a return to jiu-jitsu training, participation in inaugural competitions, and a potential resurgence in rally driving. Yet, the most significant ambition remains her desire to re-enter the MMA/UFC arena at the age of 40.