Nov 13, 2015
Jedrzejczyk confident, ready for UFC 193 defence
Fast, lethal and undefeated, while these words describe UFC 193 headliner Ronda Rousey, they are also accurate when applied to strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who will defend her gold against Canadian Valerie Letourneau in the co-main event on Saturday.
Fast, lethal and undefeated, while these words describe UFC 193 headliner Ronda Rousey, they are also accurate when applied to strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who will defend her gold against Canadian Valerie Letourneau in the co-main event on Saturday.
Prior to their TKO losses to the 10-0 Jedrzejczyk, both former champion Carla Esparza and Jessica Penne said they were ready to handle the striking power of the title holder. Both were left bloody in the Octagon when their respective bouts were over.
“All of my opponents thought they were smart before the fights, they thought they were going to have easy wins with me and thought they were going to take the belt from me but they don’t know what to expect from me,” Jedrzejczyk told TSN.ca “They might not have been afraid going in, but they were afraid from the first seconds of the fight because they could feel that I’m a champion and I’m on a different level.”
The next challenge will be Montreal native Letourneau, who has won her last four bouts including two straight in the strawweight class over Jessica Rakoczy and Maryna Moroz. The Canadian believes she has just as much chance to win the bout with her striking ability but the champion does not agree.
They might not have been afraid going in, but they were afraid from the first seconds of the fight...
“Is she joking? She’s a top fighter, she can hit really hard she’s strong but I’m a champion I have so much experience in Muai Thai I’ve been in almost 100 fights and I’ve face tough opponents,” said Jedrzejczyk. “She’s tough, she had KO power so I’m going to be careful but I’m going to hit her with my power.”
The Olsztyn, Poland native is also fired up to be on the same card as Rousey, who will defend the bantamweight title in the main event marking the first time both women’s division titles will be up for grabs on the same card.
“I’ve followed Ronda we both are champions, we are in different division but I see myself in Ronda It’s going to be one of the biggest shows in UFC and we’re making history and that’s the most important thing.