VIDEO | Former rivals Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili have wholesome reunion
Former UFC rivals Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili had a nice meeting earlier this week.
The rivalry between ‘Magnum’ and the Polish fighter is likely to go down as one of the best in women’s MMA history. Back in March 2020 at UFC 248, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili met for the first time. With women’s strawweight gold on the line, the two went back and forth for 25 minutes.
Ultimately, it was the Chinese champion who retained the gold by split-decision, in one of the greatest fights ever. Following the loss, Joanna Jedrzejczyk decided to take a hiatus. However, over two years later, she signed a deal to return against Zhang Weili in Singapore at UFC 275.
Once again, the two put on a show. However, this time, the bout had a much more conclusive ending. In the second round, Zhang Weili knocked out the former champion, handing her the first stoppage loss since 2017. Following the defeat, Joanna Jedrzejczyk retired from the sport of MMA. While she’s teased a return to the cage since then, she’s remained firm in her decision to stop competing.
Now, almost two years removed from their last meeting in the cage, they’ve met outside of it. On Instagram, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili shared a video of their meeting on social media. While they went through war together, it seems that there’s all love between the two legends.
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“We are each other’s opponent in the cage, we all want to chase our dreams, to win the fight. But outside of the octagon, we are friends.” UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili stated in a video posted to Instagram earlier this week, alongside former champion and rival Joanna Jedrzejczyk. “We can have dinner together, we can talk to each other, we can be really good friends. So I am happy about it.”
She continued, “JJ is always a legend in my heart, she is always the champion. I want to learn from her.”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk then added, “Guys remember, we compete but we’re humans. So, today we’re the champ, but tomorrow we’re not, but we’re always going to be humans. This is what’s more important, and that’s the most important thing. One day we can beat the hell out of each other, and the next day we can have dinner. So, I appreciate you.”
While Joanna Jedrzejczyk is now firmly in retirement, Zhang Weili is targeting a return to the cage. In April at UFC 300, ‘Magnum’ is set to defend her women’s strawweight title against the rising Yan Xiaonan. ‘Fury’ has won two in a row, last scoring a knockout win over Jessica Andrade in May to earn the title shot.
What do you make of this news involving Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili? Do you believe the women’s strawweight champion will retain her title in April?
