Jędrzejczyk bets on similarities between 'Bate-Estaca' and Weili Zhang to regain belt

J. Jędrzejczyk in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook Joanna Jędrzejczyk

The Polish Joanna Jędrzejczyk is close to the clash that could replace her as strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg). On March 7, at UFC 248, the fighter will face the current number one, Weili Zhang, and has already started analyzing the rival for the dispute. As motivation, Joanna stated that she finds similarities between the Chinese woman's style and that of Jessica Andrade, whom she defeated in 2017. In an interview with 'UFC Unfiltered', the athlete spoke about the subject.

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“They are very similar athletes, who fight moving forward, throwing open punches, with good wrestling. They are not very technical, but they are very strong. So, I think this fight against (Weili) Zhang will be very similar (to the fight against Jéssica). I have to cut angles, slide, counterattack, use my timing, my wingspan and my reach,” said Joanna.

Jędrzejczyk earned the right to challenge Zhang after a great performance against Michelle Waterson, in the main fight of the UFC Tampa. On that occasion, the Polish woman managed to show her old form and easily beat the North American with a unanimous decision from the judges.

According to Joanna, the return to good form came after an analysis of her negative results. For the former champion, it was important to review combat tactics and resume her old stance during combat.

“I'm back to my roots. I added more combinations, it's not just boxing or kicks. I used more combinations, like I used to do in Muay Thai and at the beginning of my MMA career. I'm very proud of myself, how I performed in my last fight against Michelle Waterson. I think I sent a strong message to the division of straws. Good striking, good wrestling, everything was perfect”, he concluded.

Joanna won the strawweight title in 2015, when she beat Carla esparza by knockout at UFC 185. The Polish woman defended her belt five times before being defeated by Rose namajunas, in 2017. Since then, the fighter has had four fights, winning two and suffering two setbacks.