UFC strawweight great Joanna Jedrzejczyk has not competed in the Octagon in close to two years, and it seems that hiatus could go even longer if she doesn’t get a bigger “piece of the cake” at the next event she competes on.
Jedrzejczyk (16-4) has not fought since her March 2020 title fight against then-champion Zhang Weili. The fight is universally viewed as one of the best bouts in women’s MMA history and only added to the legend of the longest-reigning queen in UFC strawweight history. Despite no longer being champion, the 34-year-old believes she holds a unique status in the organization, and the name value she brings to any card she competes on is deserving of certain financial returns. Namely, pay-per-view points.
PPV points have been negotiated into fighter contracts for years. Champions and top stars are usually the beneficiaries in this practice of getting a percentage of the PPV buys revenue generated from their card. Jedrzejczyk has not been a champion in almost four years but wants to get back to receiving PPV points — something she feels she should — and plans to talk to UFC President Dana White about it when she begins negotiations for a return fight in 2022.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk wants PPV points again in UFC return
I feel like I deserve a bigger piece of the cake. I don’t see myself fighting [outside] of the UFC but there are people who are interested in having me, putting big money on the table,” Jedrzejczyk told “>The MMA Hour Wednesday. … “I feel like I sell the pay-per-views but I don’t get any points anymore. But I’m not complaining. I’m not the champ anymore but I feel like I deserve a little bit more. I will discuss this at the table with Dana, with the matchmakers. I want to be back to the UFC octagon soon.
During her appearance on the popular podcast, Jedrzejczyk once again reiterated what she has said for months. That when she does make her return to the Octagon, fights with either current division champion Rose Namajunas, or former titleholder Zhang are her preferrences. Namajunas (10-4) and Zhang (21-2) facing each other in a championship rematch next week in the co-main event of UFC 268 in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The Polish star is eyeing a possible comeback in March or April, however, she admitted if her representatives and UFC brass can agree on higher earnings in her next bout, it would be the best way to guarantee her Octagon returns comes sooner rather than later.
If I get pay-per-view points again, I will be happy, she said. Because I sell. I’m not complaining. I will sit at the table and talk.
Should Jedrzejczyk get a bout with the winner, or loser, of Zhang versus Namajunas next, or has her long stay away from the Octagon forced her further down the ladder when it comes to matchups with top contenders?
