Refreshed Joanna Jedrzejczyk plans 'more violence' in rerun of Zhang Weili epic at UFC 275

Preparing to return to the octagon after 27 months out, and against a fellow former champion whom she narrowly lost to in one of the most memorable fights in UFC history, Joanna Jedrzejczyk isn’t overly concerned about the lengthy layoff.

Not at all, in fact.

“People talking about being rusty, about the dust ... that's just something from Florida,” Jedrzejczyk tells The National from her hotel room in Singapore, days from the rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 275. “I will prove that I’m one of the greatest on Saturday.”

Few would argue with Jedrzejczyk’s credentials. After winning the strawweight title from Carla Esparza in March 2015, the Pole held the belt for more than two years, defending it five times and becoming one of the most must-watch fighters in mixed martial arts.

Eventually losing the title to Rose Namajunas, there have been three championship bouts since: an immediate rematch with Namajunas, a vacant flyweight title clash with Valentina Shevchenko, and the epic 2020 Fight of the Year with Weili. Jedrzejczyk suffered defeats in each, but they did little to diminish her stature in the game.

Yet, having taken that time away from the UFC to work on several businesses and personal projects, Jedrzejczyk has returned with renewed hunger. And, apparently, an even more honed skill set following almost five months training at American Top Team.

“More skilled and smarter,” Jedrzejczyk says. “I will be using my tools smarter than I used to. That’s the thing, I know my value. I know I’m one of the greatest. I know people go crazy, ‘Oh she hasn’t fought in two years'. But I do not worry about it.

“In general, I’m this type pf person who likes to do things outside. I just launched my supplement company, my sports-equipment