Joanna Jedrzejczyk Says 'Fake Kowalkiewicz' Not on Her Level

Joanna Jedrzejczyk Says 'Fake Kowalkiewicz' Not on Her Level

Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz will create history when they fight in the first ever all-Polish and European title fight at UFC 205 in MSG.

Oct 4, 2016 by Jim Edwards
Joanna Jedrzejczyk Says 'Fake Kowalkiewicz' Not on Her Level
Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz will create history when they fight in the first ever all-Polish and European title fight at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 12.

The champion Jędrzejczyk heads into the bout full of pride at the fact that she will be a part of the occasion, but she has mixed feelings about her Polish counterpart, Kowalkiewicz. Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour Monday, Jędrzejczyk spoke of her excitement of being on the first-ever UFC card in New York City.

"I asked for this fight for a long time already, so I was happy that a week before the press conference I knew I was going to be on this card," Jędrzejczyk said. "I was very happy you know, finally -- let's do this. I can't wait for this show.

"I didn't expect Conor (McGregor) on this card, but I was super happy when I heard about it. The thing was I said to my people that I think there is something going on you know, like Dana (White) and the UFC. I think they have some ace in the pocket, and I was waiting for that you know."

Last week,  Jędrzejczyk and Kowalkiewicz met face-to-face for the first time since the fight got booked and had their first pre-fight staredown. The champion revealed what she said to Kowalkiewicz during that tense moment.

"I was telling her that this s*it got real and be ready," Jędrzejczyk said. "She's a tough chick, so it's going to be really tough and interesting fight, but she's not on my level."

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When Helwani asked if anything about the challenger impressed her, Jędrzejczyk's reply was short and curt.

"No, there is nothing that impressed me about Karolina Kowalkiewicz."

While not impressed by her opponent, Jędrzejczyk did concede that she had earned her shot at the belt.

"She beat Rose (Namajunas) and she was supposed to be my next opponent, but Karolina won and now here we go," Jędrzejczyk said. "She's the challenger."

While some fighters may find it hard to fight others of the same nationality, for Jędrzejczyk, every challenger is that same. Nationality for the champion doesn't factor into the equation -- everyone is a threat to her belt, no matter the flag they carry.

"My business is my business," Jędrzejczyk said. "It's my job, and I don't mind who is going to be my next opponent. Who is Karolina? She could be from Cuba, and I'm still going to fight her you know. She could be from my city, and I'm still going to fight her if I have to fight."

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Jędrzejczyk then described the time the first two met, and she referenced their amateur fight from 2012 where she defeated Kowalkiewicz.

"I first met Karolina back in 2012 at an amateur competition in Poland, and I submitted her in the third round," Jędrzejczyk said laughing. "I met her in the lobby and she was nice and super cute. She came to me with her coach and they hugged me and they were talking to me, but then she wasn't nice. She isn't a real person. That's her problem...she's a fake person."

Jędrzejczyk went on to explain her issue with the Kowalkiewicz and revealed her ill feeling towards the challenger came after the comments she made after UFC 199 when she defeated Namajunas.

"Before my fight with (Cláudia) Gadelha, we recorded some video for our sponsor and we had a photoshoot together and she was super nice," Jędrzejczyk explained. "We were talking a lot, but after her fight with Rose, she said lots of bad things and that's the reason.

"She said I'm afraid of her and that I'm going to lose my belt. She' can't be serious. There's no trash talking, but she's fake and I'm going to prove to all of you that she's a fake person."