Champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk: Claudia Gadelha needs 1 more fight before rematch

Joanna Jedrzejczyk isn’t necessarily keen on facing Claudia Gadelha in her next title defense.

The UFC women’s strawweight champ told MMAjunkie Radio she thinks the top Brazilian contender needs to jump one more hurdle before they face each other in a rematch.

But she can certainly understand why Gadelha is game.

“Everybody wants to fight with the champion,” Jedrzejczyk told MMAjunkie. “Better money, better exposure. But you know, man, she did one fight in 2015. I think she should have one more fight, and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.

“If it’s going to be Claudia next, I don’t mind,” she added. “I’m already champ. That’s all I can say.”

Jedrzejczyk (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), who recently underwent surgery for her second hand injury this year, had just woken up when she heard the news that the UFC expects Gadelha (13-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) to be her next title challenge, so she didn’t want to give an official reaction before hearing from the promotion.

The strawweights first met one year ago at UFC on FOX 13 in what was the second octagon fight for both. The bout had immediate title implications, with the highly hyped Gadelha expected to get a shot at then-champ Carla Esparza with a win. However, Jedrzejczyk dropped Gadelha early and resisted efforts to grapple before winning a split decision.

Since then, Gadelha has claimed she won the fight. But Jedrzejczyk said her opponent should just let it go.

“How many times do we have split decisions? So many times,” she said. “But I won this fight, and she should stop complaining about it. But I’m a different fighter. It’s been 12 months, and I’m a different fighter.

“I’m on a different level right now. Of course, Gadelha, she’s still No. 1 ranked, and I’m on top. But that’s all. She’s a tough opponent.”

Gadelha’s success in the first bout came from using her size and strength to bully Jedrzejczyk, denying her the opportunity to use the striking skills that have won several kickboxing titles. A rematch could see a similar approach from the challenger, but Jedrzejczyk said she’ll be ready.

“I’m still getting better,” she said. “I just started. (The UFC) just gave me a chance.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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