What is next for former UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk?

Before we get into what’s next, let’s look into what happened last…

This past weekend, UFC 223, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn NY, was to be Joanna’s night. 

The rematch between Champion Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk was thought to see the former champion, Joanna crowned queen of the Strawweight division once again. 

Jedrzejczyk attempted to recapture her UFC Strawweight Title, in a battle that went the distance, and not in Joanna’s favour. 

Joanna still thinks, and there are other people out there who agree she won that rematch. The problem is New York state adopted the new unified MMA rules. 

With the new rules, effective striking, effective grappling, and effective cage control are what the judges are looking for at the end of each round.  

Not only did Rose Namajunas pull out the win, she did it standing, in what most would think is where Joanna would shine.  Multiple time Muay Thai champion, and Kickboxer adding to her dominant title reign in the UFC, It just wasn’t her night.  

So what is next for Joanna Jedrzejczyk?  Will she stay in the Strawweight division, and work her way back up, or move to Flyweight?

Joanna has stated multiple times she would like to capture gold in two divisions.  With the flyweight division quickly heating up, this may be the perfect opportunity for her.  

It would be a bit foolish to give her an immediate title shot against Nicco Montano, though not outside of the realm of what the UFC does as of late.

A fun fight possibility could be in the form of Australia’s Jessica-Rose Clark, not just for Joanna and Jessica.  It will also be fantastic for the fans. Poland vs Australia would an epic card, and the energy would be insane.  

Another fight with Jessica Andrade could be an excellent bout at 115 or 125 because their first was so exciting.  Jessica gave Joanna a serious run for her money in their first fight, this rematch would be a great one. 

A super fight the MMA world has been abuzz about, Joanna, and Muay Thai champion Valentina Shevchenko.  Valentina already holds three wins over Joanna in Muay Thai, not in MMA. So it would be former UFC Champion vs a former UFC title challenger, and former Muay Thai opponents.  This fight has “make it happen”, written all over it. 

Another possibility for the former champ could be newly signed Mackenzie Dern at Strawweight.  Mackenzie is getting better with her stand up, as Joanna’s takedown defence is ok, but no one can keep her down. 

About to have her first UFC fight in the Flyweight division, Andrea KGB Lee, could very well be a worthy fight for Joanna in the future. 

If out of all the possibilities, one fight stands out the most, Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Valentina Shevchenko is the one.  Both of these ladies are phenomenal fighters, and they have a mutual respect for each other.  Not to mention Valentina’s second fight with Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunez was sidelined at first.  Who stepped up to want the fight on a few days notice?  Joanna Jedrzejczyk was ready and willing to step into the Octagon with the woman she lost to three times prior. 

If that isn’t a headline-grabbing fight for Joanna, Valentina and the UFC, then what is?

The UFC has a plethora of talent coming out of both the Strawweight and Flyweight divisions.  Any of those ladies could make for an exciting fight, and she’s always up for the challenge. 

It all depends on where Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants to take her career.