Joanna Jedrzejczyk to Be Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2024

In a momentous announcement, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has declared that former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be enshrined into the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame's 'Modern Wing' as part of the Class of 2024. This historic recognition marks Jedrzejczyk as the second female inductee in UFC history and the first from the strawweight division.

The induction ceremony is slated to take place during the 12th Annual UFC International Fight WeekÔ, on Thursday, June 27, at T-Mobile Arena. Fans worldwide can witness this milestone moment live exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®.

UFC CEO Dana White hailed Jedrzejczyk as one of the greatest athletes in combat sports history, applauding her remarkable achievements both inside and outside the Octagon. White emphasized Jedrzejczyk's unwavering determination and her role as a champion, ambassador, and role model for women's MMA. He expressed his honor in inducting her into the UFC Hall of Fame, recognizing her as one of the toughest athletes ever seen in the sport.

Jedrzejczyk will join the ranks of the Modern Wing as its 13th member, alongside former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The 'Modern Era' category celebrates athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000, are a minimum age of 35, or have been retired for one year or more.

With an illustrious career spanning 21 fights over a decade, Jedrzejczyk boasts a record of 16-5 (10-5 UFC). Notable victories include triumphs over former UFC strawweight champions Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade.

The journey began for Jedrzejczyk on May 19, 2021, with a unanimous decision victory in her professional MMA debut. She ascended through the ranks with six consecutive wins across various promotions before making her UFC debut on July 26, 2014, securing a unanimous decision victory over Juliana Lima.

A defining moment in Jedrzejczyk's career came on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185, where she clinched the strawweight championship with a second-round TKO victory over Carla Esparza. This marked her as UFC's first Polish-born champion and first female European UFC champion. Over the next two years, she defended the strawweight championship five times, setting records for most title defenses in the division and dominating each fight decisively.

However, Jedrzejczyk faced setbacks in her career, notably against former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in consecutive fights at UFC 217 and UFC 223. Despite these challenges, her resilience and determination remained evident as she continued to compete at the highest level.

Outside the Octagon, Jedrzejczyk's contributions to the sport have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards, including Female Fighter of the Year in 2015. Her unforgettable clash against Zhang Weili during UFC 248 in 2020 garnered widespread acclaim, winning Fight of the Year honors from multiple outlets.

Hailing from Olsztyn, Poland, Jedrzejczyk's journey began in Muay Thai at the age of 16, where she quickly made her mark, capturing gold and silver medals at the IFMA World Championships. Her philanthropic efforts in her native Poland further attest to her character as she continues to champion causes for children's hospitals and food banks, supporting families in need.

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As Jedrzejczyk prepares to etch her name into the annals of UFC history, her legacy as a trailblazer and an inspiration in the world of MMA is solidified, leaving an indelible mark on the sport for generations to come.

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