Jędrzejczyk provokes Zhang with 'joke' about Coronavirus, is reprimanded by rival and apologizes

J. Jędrzejczyk apologizes after bad taste joke involving Coronavirus. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufc_asia

Former strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg.) Joanna Jędrzejczyk ended up being the protagonist of an embarrassing moment when she tried to promote the fight against the current owner of the belt, Weili Zhang. On the occasion, the Polish provoked her rival by relating the athlete to the Coronavirus, a disease that has caused panic in China and other countries around the world. The tasteless joke did not go down well and the champion reprimanded her rival, who felt obliged to apologize. The statements took place on the athletes' Instagram.

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“Making fun about a tragedy shows a person’s character. People are dying. Fathers, mothers, children. You can say whatever you want about me. It only makes me stronger, but don't play with what's going on here. I wish you to be healthy by March 7th. See you soon”, wrote the champion.

After the text published by Zhang, Joanna also used her official account to try to clarify what happened. Aware of having made a mistake that, for many, goes beyond the limits of the competition, the Polish woman apologized to her next opponent.

“Hey, champ, hey, Weili, I’m sorry I made you feel bad. I would never joke about people getting sick or viruses. I didn't want you to feel offended. I just wanted to play with an internet meme. I'm sorry, but I'll still see you on March 7th.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in a publication released last Monday (27), the number of deaths from the disease reached 106 in China. Another 12 countries already have confirmed cases of virus infection.

Zhang and Jędrzejczyk are scheduled to take part in the co-main event of UFC 248, which takes place in Las Vegas. The fight will be the Chinese woman's first appearance since the athlete took the belt. Jessica Stacker, in August last year. The Polish, on the other hand, is trying to regain her old position, lost in 2017, when she was beaten by Rose namajunas.

Shame on you @joannamma! You just lost a fan with this BS pic.twitter.com/IFZTz6mS61

- ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) January 28, 2020

 

View this photo on Instagram

 

To make fun of tragedy is a true sign of ones character. People are dying, someone's father, someone's mother, someone's child. Say what you want about me if it makes you feel stronger but don't joke about what's happening here. I wish you good health until March 7th. I will see you soon.

A publication shared by Weili Zhang张伟丽 (@zhangweilimma) on Jan 29, 2020 at 6:23 am PST