Jedrzejczyk Speculates That Namajunas is Faking Injury: ‘Maybe She’s Afraid to Lose Her Belt’

Joanna Jedrzejcyk returned to her winning ways on Saturday, cruising to a clear-cut decision triumph over Tecia Torres in a featured strawweight clash at UFC on Fox 30.

It was the first time since December 2014 that Jedrzejczyk wasn’t involved in a title bout, but after back-to-back losses against Rose Namajunas, a return to the win column – regardless of the stakes – was very much welcome.

“It’s been a while since I wasn’t the co-main event or main event, but I don’t care,” Jedrzejczyk said on Fox Sports 1. “I can fight every week, anywhere, anytime. Last year was like a roller coaster. I’m very happy that I’m back on the winning road. I was the champion for a reason. I was working so hard. I was such a dominant champion for almost three years. I want to get to the top. And I will do this. I’m very close.”

Indeed, Jedrzejczyk emerged as perhaps the best pound-for-pound female fighter in mixed martial arts as she rolled to victories in her first 14 professional appearances. Then, Namajunas pulled off a shocker with a first-round TKO of the Polish star at UFC 217 this past November. Jedrzejczyk blamed that defeat on a grueling weight cut, and vowed to reclaim her belt. The second meeting was much more competitive, and Jedrzejczyk even outlanded Namajunas over the course of five rounds, but it was still “Thug” Rose who emerged with a unanimous verdict at the conclusion of their UFC 223 rematch.

Those back-to-back defeats shattered Jedrzejczyk’s aura of invincibility, but she isn’t lacking for confidence.

“There was nothing I had to prove to people. I only had to prove to myself that I’m simply the best,” she said of Saturday’s win. “And I did that in my last fight with Rose Namajunas. I know that people are talking lots of different things and saying my weight cut was an excuse. My [first] fight with Rose Namajunas was not Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden. It was two days before. I had to cut 14 pounds. I had to pay the price for someone’s mistake. I lost my belt, my fighting career, my whole life. I was born for this. I am a ring warrior and I was born as a fighter. I paid the price and I learned a lot.

“I’m very happy I got the victory tonight and I will get the belt sooner than later.”

Considering that she already has an 0-2 record against Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk may not be at the top of the pecking order when it comes to 115-pound contenders. A recently announced matchup between former title challengers Jessica Andrade and Karolina Kowalkiewicz could in fact determine the next opponent for Namajunas.

Jedrzejczyk herself was surprised to learn that Namajunas would not be defending her belt against Andrade, who is coming off back-to-back triumphs over Torres and Claudia Gadelha. However, Namajunas recently said she is dealing with a neck injury, and there is currently no timetable for her return.

Jedrzejczyk isn’t buying it.

“I was expecting Jessica Andrade to fight Rose Namajunas very, very soon. What I’m hearing that Rose is injured – is she injured or not? Maybe it’s fake,” Jedrzejczyk said. “Maybe she’s afraid to lose her belt. I understand her. So they booked the other fight for Jessica Andrade. I don’t get this. If they want to get the challenger for the next title fight with Rose Namajunas – [Karolina Kowalkiewicz] or Andrade – I’m next in line. Why not? I can do this.”