Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the most dominant UFC strawweight champion in history, has been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
The promotion announced Jerzejczyk's induction into the HOF on Saturday during the UFC 299 event in Miami. The former champion's addition comes nearly two years after she announced her retirement following a knockout loss to current champion Zhang Weili in their rematch at UFC 275.
Weili was one half of Jedrzejczyk's most famous contribution to UFC lore, and their epic five-round fight at UFC 248 ended in a split decision loss (and massive hematoma) for the former champion. The two won MMA Fighting's “Fight of the Year” award and dominated the 2020 Best of list.
The famous bout was Jedrzejczyk's fourth attempt to regain gold after losing the strawweight belt to future two-time champion Rose Namajunas. “Thug Rose” ended a title reign by the Polish fighter that included five title defenses and a regular spot on the pound-for-pound list. Jedrzejczyk won the belt with a lopsided beatdown against inaugural champion Carla Esparza, and wouldn't relinquish the belt until the end of his UFC 217 appearance after a barrage of punches from Namajunas.
Jedrzejczyk once tested her fortunes in the flyweight division, competing against Valentina Shevchenko, with whom she competed three times in kickboxing for the then-vacant 125-pound title. Shevchenko dominated the match and Jedrzejczyk was moved back to 115 pounds.
Overall, Jerzejczyk has a 10-5 record in the Octagon and is undefeated in his first 14 MMA bouts. She is targeting a transition into MMA management after hanging up the gloves and has been a UFC ambassador since her retirement.
Jedrzejczyk is the second woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, following former bantamweight champion and breakout star Ronda Rousey.
