Joanna Jedrzejczyk Reveals She Learned About Losing UFC Title Shot from Media

Just a couple days ago, Joanna Jedrzejczyk was booked to face Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant women’s flyweight title at UFC 231 on Dec. 8.

But as one possibility after another fell through for the UFC 230 main event, the promotion was left to scramble to find something to headline its prestigious Madison Square Garden card. The end result was something of a head scratcher, as Shevchenko will now face Sijara Eubanks for the 125-pound belt on Nov. 3.

Many were left to wonder why Jedrzejczyk, who had competed at Madison Square Garden twice before, was left out of the picture. UFC President Dana White revealed that the Polish star wouldn’t be ready to compete next month. However, apparently no one bothered to tell Jedrzejczyk about the change before the announcement was made.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, the former strawweight queen revealed that she learned about losing her title shot from the MMA media. While she admitted that she rejected the promotion’s offer to fight at UFC 230, she also pointed out that the previously signed contract for UFC 231 “was ignored.”

Jedrzjeczyk added that she understands the UFC’s need to make a “quick decision” to save its upcoming event and that she still plans on becoming a two-division champion in the future.

Jedrzejczyk’s full post is as follows:

Me pulling out of fight? Never! Here is the truth. Yesterday I was informed that my fight had been cancelled. 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 opponents, 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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. OŚWIADCZENIE Nic nie dzieje się bez powodu . STATEMENT Everything happens for a reason 2-4 POLISH & 5-7 ENG #joannajedrzejczyk #statement #oswiadczenie #ufc

A post shared by Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannajedrzejczyk) on Oct 3, 2018 at 9:18am PDT