Joanna Jedrzejczyk fires back at critics complaining about her spot in UFC rankings: ‘Take my place, I don’t care’

Joanna Jedrzejcyzk knows she’s earned her place in the strawweight division — no matter how much the fighters around her might try to disagree.

Following her win over Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 39, Marina Rodriguez complained about Jedrzejcyzk’s inactivity — with Jedrzejcyzk’s last fight taking place in March 2020 — while adding “let’s be honest, she shouldn’t even be ranked anymore at this point.”

On Tuesday, the former strawweight champion fired back at her detractors after actually climbing up the UFC rankings in the promotion’s latest update.

“There’s lots of rumors about my fighting career, retirement and that I shouldn’t be in the rankings because I haven’t fought for more than 19 months,” Jedrzejczyk wrote on Instagram. “I’m super happy and proud of myself being very high in the rankings but rankings don’t fight.

“I don’t care who I’ll be fighting. No 10, 5, 1, white, blue, black or pink belt. The most important thing is how dedicated, motivated, passionate and disciplined [I am]. My legacy speaks for me. So don’t be surprised. Can’t wait to put on hell of a fight for my real ones, for all of ya. For so many.”

The last time Jedrzejczyk appeared in the UFC, she put on a Fight of the Year performance against Zhang Weili in a strawweight title bout in March 2020.

While she came away with a split decision loss, Jedrzejczyk remained near the top of the rankings. She previously told MMA Fighting that she hoped to face either Zhang or Rose Namajunas in her return to action.

Unfortunately for her, Zhang and Namajunas are now scheduled to face each other in UFC 268’s co-main event in November, which took away the two most enticing options for Jedrzejczyk as she plotted her next fight.

As of now, Jedrzejczyk hasn’t said when she plans to fight again, but she had some advice for the other fighters in the division who might have a problem with her.

“One more thing girls — do not complain about me being high in the rankings,” Jedrzejcyzk said. “I did my part already but I know there is much more to come. Take my place. I don’t care. I know my value and I know who I am.”