Joanna Jedrzejczyk reacts to removal from title fight vs. Shevchenko
Joanna Jedrzejczyk: “Unfortunately, I received this news from journalists, I was very shocked. I feel angry and sad.”
When then UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano was hospitalized during a weight cut for a title defense vs. former bantamweight title contender Valentina Shevchenko, the UFC stripped her of the belt. Next former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk was scheduled to fight Shevchenko for the vacant belt at UFC 231 on December 8. However, when UFC 230 on November 3 at Madison Square Garden needed a main event title fight, and Jedrzejczyk apparently couldn’t get ready in time, Shevchenko was matched vs. Sijara Eubanks for the vacant belt.
Jedrzejczyk says she found out she’d lost the title shot from media members. As Joanna Champion made clear on Instagram, she’s not impressed.
“Me pulling out of fight? Never!,” she wrote. “Here is the truth. Yesterday I was informed that my fight had been canceled. Unfortunately, I received this news from journalists, I was very shocked. I feel angry and sad. The already signed contract on the 8th of December was ignored. They were trying to persuade me into taking the fight in November, at the same time depriving me of a chance to properly prepare for the fight during the camp. Valentina is a challenging opponent, and my goal was (and actually still is) to prepare for this fight as best I can, and to eventually become the UFC flyweight champion. I treat every opponent and fight serious and with respect. I could fight in NY if I was interested only in money. Due to respect for other fighters and myself, I rejected the offer made by the UFC to change the date of the fight, as my main goal is to be at my best form during the fight, and in order to do that, I have to do my job from start to finish.
“For 15 years I’ve been focused only on development, sportsmanship at the highest level, and achieving my dreams. Of course, martial arts are my job, but most of all, they are my passion, hobby, and they fill my life and run in my blood. As a professional and a person who treats her life and work obligations serious, I feel truly resentful about the breath of the fight agreement. My feelings are even more intensified when I think of the obligations I had to resign from, as they would have happened in the time of my camp. I always plan everything long before a fight announcement. Once I sign the contract, there is nothing more important than fight preparations.
“I always try to put myself in somebody else’s situation, be it a life or business one. Thus, I understand the quick decision made by the UFC key people to save the event in NYC. Everything happens for a reason. Sooner or later I’ll become the champ in two weight classes.”
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