UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregorNov 3, 2016 by Jim Edwards
Joanna Jedrzejczyk Dismisses Haters, Promises 'New Joanna' at UFC 205
Joanna Jedrzejczyk Dismisses Haters, Promises 'New Joanna' at UFC 205
UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk discusses her improvements leading up to UFC 205.
UFC 205 is just around the corner on Nov. 12, and for the first time in UFC history, two Polish fighters will battle it out for UFC gold on the biggest stage of all: Madison Square Garden in New York City.
UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz interacted much in the buildup to the fight, but speaking on the UFC 205 conference call on Wednesday, both agreed this would be one of the biggest fights in the history of Polish MMA.
"Yes, in Poland this is really a big thing," Kowalkiewicz said, speaking for the only time on the call. "Two Polish fighters will fight in the biggest event in the world. This is something big, and people are very happy."
While Kowalkiewicz was mostly silent on the call, Jedrzejczyk fielded a fair portion of the questions throughout the 45 minutes, agreeing with her fellow Pole that the fight at UFC 205 was important to people back in her home country.
"I think this is going to be something historical for Polish MMA," Jedrzejczyk said. "A fight like this isn't going to happen again for the next few years probably, but MMA is very big and very popular in Poland.
"This fight is very big of course. A lot of people wanted this fight to happen in Poland, but we are taking over the Madison Square Garden, so I think people are very happy and media are talking about this fight--all types of media. I definitely think it's going to be very good for both of us and all the MMA fighters in Poland."
Six weeks ago, Jedrzejczyk made the decision to move training camps to American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. When asked whether it had lived up to her expectations, the champion offered nothing but praise for her new coaches and team.
"I'm planning to stay nine months in 2017, because I want two or three fights next year," Jedrzejczyk said. "I can honestly say that I'm very happy. I'm fresh, I'm open, and I challenge myself every day, and I learn new stuff. You are going to see a new Joanna in this fight. Maybe just a little bit, but I'm looking forward to my next fight."
Regarding the people who weren't supportive of her move, the UFC strawweight champion said she wasn't paying them any attention.
"I had to do this move," Jedrzejczyk said. "I want to be in the U.S. more, and I'm happy to be on UFC 205, probably the biggest card [ever]. I'm focused on my things, the good stuff and I don't care what people are saying, you know? I know I made a good decision, a good transfer and you are going to see on November 12 in New York. We shouldn't care about what other people are saying. Of course, I care about other people, about my family, but I don't care what people are saying. Once you become more popular, you have more followers, more fans, and more haters as well, so I'm just trying to keep a balance between good and bad comments.
"I'm not reading the good comments, I'm not reading the bad comments under the interviews or the pictures, just my Instagram and Facebook. I'm just focused, and you are going to hear 'And still' at 205."
Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloCombat mailing list today.
UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz interacted much in the buildup to the fight, but speaking on the UFC 205 conference call on Wednesday, both agreed this would be one of the biggest fights in the history of Polish MMA.
"Yes, in Poland this is really a big thing," Kowalkiewicz said, speaking for the only time on the call. "Two Polish fighters will fight in the biggest event in the world. This is something big, and people are very happy."
While Kowalkiewicz was mostly silent on the call, Jedrzejczyk fielded a fair portion of the questions throughout the 45 minutes, agreeing with her fellow Pole that the fight at UFC 205 was important to people back in her home country.
"I think this is going to be something historical for Polish MMA," Jedrzejczyk said. "A fight like this isn't going to happen again for the next few years probably, but MMA is very big and very popular in Poland.
"This fight is very big of course. A lot of people wanted this fight to happen in Poland, but we are taking over the Madison Square Garden, so I think people are very happy and media are talking about this fight--all types of media. I definitely think it's going to be very good for both of us and all the MMA fighters in Poland."
Six weeks ago, Jedrzejczyk made the decision to move training camps to American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. When asked whether it had lived up to her expectations, the champion offered nothing but praise for her new coaches and team.
"I'm planning to stay nine months in 2017, because I want two or three fights next year," Jedrzejczyk said. "I can honestly say that I'm very happy. I'm fresh, I'm open, and I challenge myself every day, and I learn new stuff. You are going to see a new Joanna in this fight. Maybe just a little bit, but I'm looking forward to my next fight."
Regarding the people who weren't supportive of her move, the UFC strawweight champion said she wasn't paying them any attention.
"I had to do this move," Jedrzejczyk said. "I want to be in the U.S. more, and I'm happy to be on UFC 205, probably the biggest card [ever]. I'm focused on my things, the good stuff and I don't care what people are saying, you know? I know I made a good decision, a good transfer and you are going to see on November 12 in New York. We shouldn't care about what other people are saying. Of course, I care about other people, about my family, but I don't care what people are saying. Once you become more popular, you have more followers, more fans, and more haters as well, so I'm just trying to keep a balance between good and bad comments.
"I'm not reading the good comments, I'm not reading the bad comments under the interviews or the pictures, just my Instagram and Facebook. I'm just focused, and you are going to hear 'And still' at 205."
FloCombat's hottest content, delivered to your inbox
Don't miss breaking news, feature stories, event updates, and more. Sign up for the FloCombat mailing list today.