MMA Fighting - Fighter vs. Writer: Joanna Jedrzejczyk On Her UFC Contract, Plans For Future, and Zhang Weili Rematch

Episode Date: February 22, 2022

Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzecjzyk joins the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer to discuss the latest with her career including a potential rematch against Zhang Weili after putting on the Fight of the Year in 2020. Jedrzecjzyk will explain the delays in booking her return to action after being out for nearly two years and the current status of her contract situation with the UFC. She will also give her thoughts on the upcoming fight between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, Amanda Nunes leaving American Top Team and her pick for Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza. All this and much more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Subscribe: Spotify Read More: MMA Fighting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Welcome back to the Fighter versus the Rider. I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm Martin. And today I am today I am to present an interview interview with one of my favorite people in the sport to speak to. She is the former UFC strawweight champion. Of course, one of the biggest names in the sport. Now she's currently back down to the American top team working towards her next fight. Always a fun conversation.

Always one of my favorite interviews. So let's chat with Yowana Jacek. I am always how I. happy to welcome back my next guest. She is the former UFC strawweight champion. She is one of my favorite interviews in the sport. She's back in Florida training down an American top team. And from what I see on her Instagram, really enjoying the beaches again, welcome back today.

Yohanna Janjajek, Yohana, how are you? Hey, man, it's good to hear from you. It's always a pleasure to talk to you. You know this. I love you, man. And it's good. It's good to be back. Finally, it's good to be back to American top team down to Florida.

out, it's been four weeks already. And I'm doing very well, man, because the base, the preparation I had before I came here are working good because I feel more strong. My condition is so good.

My strength in general. So it was easier for me to get back to training with all the beasts down here at the American Top Team have water in Coconut Creek. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, it's funny we spoke a while ago while you're in Poland.

I was kind of joking about all the things you have going on. When you come to the States now, like it's the only time you can just focus on training because I know you have so many things going on in Poland. Can you give me a sense of like all the different projects and things you're working on at all? Oh yeah, I'm always very busy. So like I said before,

it was my time, time for myself, time for me as a woman, human being, as a business woman. And an athlete, because like I said, I was training really hard. I was super busy, crazy busy, traveling every single day, working every single day. But the training is always my priority. But the work I put in training back home,

like I said, I can get the right fruits right now because I feel great. But yeah, man, I wanted to make sure that everything is going in the right direction because when my fighting career blew, you say. blew up blew up I was focused on my

fighting career what was good but you know I like to do so many things I'm personally with so many hobbies passions businesses and I wanted to make sure that everything

is going the right direction so now I have clear head strong heart and I can be focused on your training but man what like running some businesses some partners, some sponsorship obligations, but like I said before, for me, being a brand ambassador of some company is not only about the money, the promotion, but it's all about the mission. So I'm trying to build my sponsorship and business, business relation on like a very family basements, friendship, and it's working very good for me. So there's so many projects

I want I want I want people to be healthy So I'm starting my project with the supplements With my sports equipment Juice juices And but what I'm proud about is that I did my first I did my racing debut as a driver So I can't wait to do more races back home And I'm planning to do

Dakar race in the future. I fell in love, man. It was like, it was just a test for me if I really like it or I'm doing this for fun only. But man, it's dope. It's awesome. And I want to do it more. I'm an athlete. But it's different kind of tiredness, you say.

It's different kind of workout, you know. It's like, it's crazy how focus you have to be. behind the wheel. You have to be focused on so many things. But I love it. The adrenaline. I love it. The competition.

It's great, but everything is good. I'm happy to be here. And I'm waiting for the next chapter. Yeah. Okay. Tell me about the racing. I heard you talk about this when you were on the Punching in podcast with the guys

at American Top Team. So when did you get into racing and give me it? because there's a lot of different racing out there. How fast are you driving? Because, like, racing, that's like the scariest thing to me. It's like, you know, when you're going, like, 100-some of a miles there. No.

Hey, man, but I have an idea. I'm a Monster Brent Ambassador, and I went to the, what's in Daytona, NASCAR. I would do NASCAR. Like, a few days ago, I was like, hell yeah, I would love to do that with Monster and my, my, another partner's.

But I do the cross-country, so it's more safe because you don't go that fast. You don't go like next to the trees or rocks. You do it like on the rough field in the forest as well. But it's crazy. But I drove like 130 kilometers per hour, so it was not that fast, you know. But since I was a little girl, I was into the country. cars and when I was maybe not poor when I was not rich and I couldn't get a good car I was dreaming about good car and finally I have my good car but it's not about being fancy fancy and to show to people

that I can afford something but I really love cars and I call names I call my car's names and I just love it you know, I love the sun. I love, I love driving, and I love the atmosphere, you know. Yeah. I like the smell. So I really into, I'm really into, you know. Yeah, it's funny. Over here, like, I know because we have a lot of the big, the big NASCAR racetracks.

Like, you can actually get on. Like, I know they'll do things where you can go and, like, test it out. So I feel like, I feel like you need to go out and, like, test out, like, a race car, see how we go. I would love to. Because I did, I did so many lessons. I did some tests. And I did the race. And I was like, okay, girl, you can't do like so many things, but I know that life is so short.

So I want to do things I really want to do. And I feel like I love doing. And I know I don't want to waste any single second of my life. You know, I want to try things and decide what to do next. And I really fell in love with racing. And I love it. But my fighting career is my priority. I have to be safe.

I can't get injured, so fighting first. Yeah. I know, you know, fighting, you know, we've talked so many times, but I know fighting is your passion, you love doing it, but at the end, you know, we know fighting is, there's two things about fighting. There's legacy, there's championships, there's accomplishments, but there's also making a living, making a paycheck and earning a living.

Do you feel like, like, what you've been able to set up outside of fighting in terms of all the different businesses and sponsorships and endorsements and all the other projects, like, Have you set yourself up now to where you don't need fighting? And I don't mean you're not fighting. I know you are fighting. Have you set yourself up to the point where you don't need to fight anymore? Yes.

And I feel like I'm making more money outside the octagon. What's kind of set for me because my big hobby, big passion, became my job and it's fighting and it's all happening. We're talking because of my legacy, how dedicated I'm. I was and I am and because of MMA and my job. But it's kind of sad, but on the other hand, I get as much as I can from here and now because I've been doing this for 18 years

and you all know this, but my life got changed when I got into the EPC, when I became the champion, when I got more opportunities, I started making money. So I'm trying to get as much as I can, but I'm doing things I really love to do. But yeah, I accomplished a lot in this.

and it's not about the money, but I feel like I'm in the spot where I can ask for more money because I deserve this, you know? I deserve this and I know my worth and that's the thing. So it's hard, man, because so many people that are like, maybe you should stop fighting, you shouldn't be doing this, you do this, you do that, you have this business, the other business. But you can't stop the love, you know,

because Snob is real, and it's the only real thing in this world. And I have loved to this sport, and I feel like I want to do it, and I feel like I can do it, you know. That's the thing. It's hard, man, because every day I get message, are you retired or she's retired or the other things, you know? But it's hard, you know, when you don't, yeah, it's hard. It's why.

Well, I mean, and I know you love it. I know you love fighting, but also all the things you've been doing outside the sport from, you know, doing TV and, again, endorsements, all the different things you're doing. It probably makes you understand your value a little bit more, right? Like, you know your value to the UFC. You know your value in fighting. Like, of course, you love fighting, but you know what you're worth. You know what I mean? Yeah, but you know what's crazy?

I feel like I own something to people, you know, when I have sponsors. I own them fighting, you know, but they sign with me not because of only I'm an athlete. I'm the former BFC champion. They signed the deals with me because I have a mission, you know, and I know what to tell people. And they know who I am as inhuman first, but sometimes I feel like I'm in the cage, but I feel free, but like I own them fighting, you know, because it's my word. but so very often I forget about myself as in human, as in women. But I know because I'm very confident, but, yeah, it's hard, man.

It's hard. It's hard. It's hard. But, but I don't know. I don't know, but I feel like I want to do it. But yeah, the war, like, it's been a while. It's been two years. And I asked myself, oh, why you, why it took so long?

But then I'm realizing like, girl, you've been working this last 24 months. And you were on mission. You were reaching your goals, your dreams. And that's the thing. So I can't forget about these things. But you know how crazy it is? Fighting still isn't first. And I'm like, no, but you haven't fighting.

You haven't done anything in your life. No, you've been doing things, girl. And that's the thing. But yeah. Yeah. Let me ask you, Joanna, because. But I want to get this paycheck, you know, big. And I feel like, I feel like, I feel like I can do it.

And I want to go there and step into the O'Clegman and fight with one of the best, of the greatest, the champ of the number one. And yeah, this is what I'm waiting for. What conversations have you had with the UFC in terms of not only your next fight, but I mean broader in terms of your contract. Because I know we spoke, or this is about a year ago, a little over a year ago. You told me at that point, I think you said you had like one fight left on your deal, and you were, of course, looking to, you know, again, re-up, things like that.

What conversations have you had with the UFC in terms of your future? I don't know. Like they said, I have two fights more because my contract got extended because I was not fighting, but I think I have last fight in the contract. But, man, if I will be back to fighting, I would like to do this more often. So it's normal that I want to extend my contract. I want to resign with the EFC. I want to be on the road for much longer.

So I think we should sit and talk more with the EFC about next step. It's not only getting aware of the contract. This is how you say? Yeah, yeah, I know you mean. Yeah, so it's all about our mission, you know, about continue this, doing this thing. You know, because like I said, I feel on fire. I feel strong. I feel good to do it.

Even the level of women's MMA is growing and went up. It's crazy how it went up in last 24 months, how it grown. But I'm ready to do it. Put in work even more and keep on, keep on fighting on the highest level. Yeah. You are your own person. You want to your own career. So I don't want to compare you anyone else.

But I want to ask you this question because as you talk about contracts, you talk about negotiations. I'm sure you've seen at least a little bit. You're the situation going on with Francis Ngano, of course, the UFC heavyweight champion. He's kind of at a... Hey, so many, Musassi, like the former UFC fighters, you know. And probably I'm in the spot. I am or I'm not. Back in a day, they took the same.

No, I will be with the UFC forever, you know. I'm still having a contract or I can extend the contract. I know it's a business, you know, and there is some value. we bring it to this business. But I really would love to stay in the UFC till the end of my fighting career. And I'm really looking forward. I see the bright side.

And I believe that I will resign the contract. Yeah. When it comes to fights itself, I had heard. I feel like we hear about the money, like Usma got more money, like Adasania got more money. I'm not the champion anymore, but I've been in this business for such a long time, and I had such a big impact in this sport, women's side and in general, you know, so I feel like I can get this as well because I'm bringing people to the to the arenas. And I always put on hell of a performance.

Yeah. Well, I mean, listen, there's a lot of fighters who aren't technically champions who, you know, deserve a lot of money. I mean, you know, it doesn't mean, you know, just because you don't have a title right now, doesn't mean you're not one of the biggest stars, one of the most well-known names. Look at Georgie. Look at Georgie. Look at Dustin Porreier. Look at, of course, McGregor is something else. But I feel like I can be the female version of these guys, you know.

And actually my teammates, this is what I was talking about with Mikey Brown this morning because we were drilling and we are so high for Georgie, for Dustin Porriere as well, where he's at right now. and we were talking about like, look, how many champions we have in the gym, how many great athletes, and how many personalities, you say? Like, personalities? Yeah, yeah. Like, you know, the personalities, talking about, for example,

Dustin or Georgina or the other people who are not having the belts, you know? Yeah. Absolutely, absolutely. I had heard, and I know when we spoke last, you told me, and this is going back before the title fight, you told me that, you know, You wanted, you know, you wanted a big fight. You wanted a champion. You wanted Rose or maybe, you know, Zhang Wei Li.

Those are the two fights you were probably most interested. I know you mentioned maybe Carla as well. Of course, now we know Carla is probably going to be fighting Rose. Yeah. But I heard that that's fine. And I heard that the Zhang Wei fight was out there. But then I heard a rumor that maybe she's not going to want to fight again to later in the year. What have you heard?

Because I know that's a fight you want. And I know that's why a lot of people would like to see the rematch. What have you heard in terms of that? Man, you know what's crazy? like so many people that are like, oh, get an easy fight, you've been out for a while. Fight. Fight is a fight. Fight is a pleasure.

The hard will be so many weeks before. I have to cut the same amount of money. I'm crazy in my head. When I'm training, when I'm preparing for my fights. I'm crazy, man. I don't go easy. So I don't want to fight easy. I don't want to easy fight because I will be training hard for the championship fight, you know.

And so I prefer to fight. big name number one or the champion and yeah I heard that wailie Jean might not be back till late July August what they told me was that she was planning to be back to fighting March April and May June and the last thing I heard this June July August so I can wait and I want to wait but on the other I know I wait that long. So I don't know. It's complicated, man, because all the girls from one to ten are booked.

But like I said, I'm only looking at the big, big, big, big fights. Yeah. Well, and that's the other thing I was going to mention. I mean, you know, that's the fight that makes the most sense. But you look at the rest of the division. I mean, they got Marina, you know, Rodriguez is fighting Yan Jan. You've got, you know, McKinsey Dern is fighting Tisha Torres. So a lot of the other top fighters are booked.

So, again, it wouldn't really make sense for you to fight. the number 10 person or somebody up and coming. Like the Zhang Li-Lief fight is the one that makes the most sense. The only problem is waiting until August, I'm sure that's not what you want to do. It's kind of like, it's kind of a tough situation. Yeah, it's tough because when I was planning my trip to the States, I planned this trip already in October.

So I knew I had like three months left, October, November, December to work really hard and make sure everything is good back home with the business. And I wanted to hurry. I even texted like Mick, Mick, you know, matchmakers they play. So I texted Dana, like, Dana, can I fight the end of March? I will be ready. He was like, okay, let's do it. But then we got the info that all the girls are booked, you know.

And I was like, no, I want to fight until the end of the march. Because if Carla, when the Rose fights Carla, then I will get the championship fight. But then I realized, like, why to hurry, you know? I haven't fought for two years. doesn't make a big difference if I if I don't fight extra for six months, you know? But so I'm here training, waiting. I'm training really hard because every time I come here, when I'm not in camp, I promise myself to go a little bit easy.

But I'm training really hard, really hard. So everyone in the gym, even the coaches are asking when you're fighting. I'm like, I don't have five book. No, it's so true. You can tell us. I'm like, hey, guys, I don't have a fight book yet. But because of what they see me training really hard And that's the thing

So I'm thinking easy, you know Talking to Dan Lambert, Jennifer Goldshin, with my manager, CAA management, which we all trying to keep Stay in touch with the UFC Mick and make another Make another decision. Yeah.

Well, I mean, it does, again, the rematch with Zhang makes more sense. It seems like she's training. She's posting pictures. She's training. So I really would love to fight. sooner than August. Yeah, no, absolutely.

Let me ask your opinion, the fight between Carla and Rose, because you fought both of them, of course, and that is an interesting rematch. Of course, Carla beat Rose, but it was several years ago. I'm curious, what do you think of that title fight? Do you lean one way or the other?

I think Rose is totally different fighter than she was, but I know how it is that you can be the best in the world, but sometimes when you face it, someone, this person might not be the perfect fit for you. You know what I mean? Like, so let's see, you know, how, how Rose will deal with the, with the, with the situation, with the, with the loss she had to Carla back in a day. But I think Rose is on the higher level than Carla Sparza right now, but she's the next

contender. She deserved that, I think. I know she deserved that and it's going to be an interesting fight. Yeah. But I think Rose can finish this fight in the first round. Yes.

You mentioned before, and this is going back before, I think it was before Rose and Jane got matched up for the rematch, but at that point you said, you know, champion or a number one fighter, that's the only that really makes sense. And I totally agree with you. How much, would it mean more to you down the road to get

that third fight with Rose just because of, you know, the, maybe the little bit of the controversy around the last fight. And, you know, I know becoming champion again, it means, I imagine it means different things now than it did when you first got in the UFC, of course, but would that mean more to you now to, like, get that third fight with Rose to get the championship back in that kind of a fight? Not to say anything bad against Carla, if she wins, I'm sure you would gladly fight her again, but you know what I mean.

Yeah, yeah. Yes, I know what you mean. Yes. spot where I'm at, where I am right now, like, you know, big fights mother to me and, and, and, I would love to fight the, fight for the third time, and it's a big fight and this is what I'm interested in, you know, that's the thing. And I think this fight is going to be different than the last two and it's going to be even bigger for me personally. Yeah. When you like we said, I, you know, the rematch, the first image, I wanted to hurry.

I wanted to get my belt back because we know, we know what happened before. But it's important to me, like, not to get the revenge only, you know, but to fight one of the greatest right now, you know. Yeah. That's the thing. That's the point. Because you are one of the greatest, you know, most people would say. say the greatest straw weight of all time and all the things you've accomplished. But are you at a stage now where you need to be, you know, more, what's the word I'm

looking for? Like more selective, more, you know, you have the option of, you know, when you talked about, like, rushing back in March versus waiting until August or things like that. Like, do you feel like you're in a position now where you need to have the right opportunity is as important as anything? Because you want to be active, you want to fight again. We all know that. But, again, is it better to be selected?

like, are you in a better position now to do that? Because it's kind of like when Rhonda was around or, you know, Connor, like, Conner's a great example. Connor, you know, Connor's not going to just fight anybody. It's going to have to be something that makes sense for Connor. Are you in a little bit of the same position where it just wouldn't make sense for you to fight somebody else? Yes, I'm more selective. And some people will say, I don't deserve this or that. But I feel like I deserve that because of all the things I have done for so many years back in a day.

Like I've been doing till now, but yeah, I have to be more selective. And I know, I've been in this business for a while. I'm the former champion. I'm dedicated. Or the girls, so many girls want to fight me. But I can't do this mistake. I can't make their wrong decision, you know, because, you know, in this sport, anything and everything can happen.

So I can be just a bag full of potatoes to get it up and let someone, and help someone open the door to the better world, you know, to the better fights, to the championship fight. So I have to be more selective and think about me, about myself, my fighting career, and what I'm still, I want to approach in this sport. Yeah, absolutely. Let me ask you with that, Joanna, in terms of being back at American Top Team, that is your second home.

I know you have loved being down there. And when you, I know when you, because you made a trip to ATT last year when you didn't have a fight book, you just went down there, had some training. And of course, I know you love being there. How long are you going to stay? Are you kind of open-ended and how long you're going to be in Florida this time? Three months, man, three months. So all people are like, wow, crazy, you know, without fighting yet, three months. I feel free, you know, and I'm a very family person.

So every day I have to check on my family, help them, be around my friends. But here I feel free, you know. I'm still in daily touch with my family and friends. But here, it's all about me. And I said this so many times. I live like a monk here, you know. Small car, small apartment, easy life, pennyboard, bicycle, nice weather, training, home, training, home. I love it here.

And now it's all about me, my fighting career and my legacy. It's funny to think as hard as you train, and I've seen you in person train, I know how hard you train. It's almost like training and coming to Florida is like, this is going to sound weird, it's almost like a vacation because you don't have anything else going on. Like you're just focused on training and it's it. Like it's not a real vacation, but it's a different, like you're not doing a million other things. Yeah. You know what's crazy when people see me like, oh, beach picture, pool picture. Man, I live in Poland and I love European weather, the Polish weather all four seasons, but I love sun.

I love going to the beach. I love going to the pool and I don't have much time to do that. But when they see this picture, it's like, yeah, go back to the gym. I just got back from the gym, but I know how to manage my time. So I can hit really hard training, eat quick and go to the pool before my second workout. And I just love it, you know, if you want to go lie down on the couch and. do nothing, you know. I like to do different things. So I'm enjoying my life every single day if I'm here in Florida or back home in Poland, you know. Yeah, absolutely. Let me ask this

question for you, Ana, because you have been, you know, at ATT for such a long time. I know your relationship with Mike Brown, Ketal Kubis, all the coaches down there. We're in a sport, and you know this, you know, people come and go. That's just part of it. But I know American top team has enjoyed a whole lot of loyalty. There's a real family atmosphere at that gym, but I'm sure you saw recently Amanda Nunes made the decision to leave ATT and start their own thing. Now I'm not going to ask you to, you know, take a shot at a man. I'm not asking you of that, but were you surprised? Because like it felt like there's certain people like you, Dustin, you know, George Mazadol, there are certain people I'm always like, they're going to be ATT for life. That one really shocked

me. Yeah. Yeah. I haven't spoke with anybody. about and I'm not trying to look for some different part of this, or the deeper, deeper story of this situation. It was her decision. She felt like she had to do this for herself. I did that this, I made this decision a few years ago, and I found what I was looking for here at ATT. Amanda had to leave. I wish for the best.

I don't feel like there is a bad blood between her. blood between her, her main coach, Conan or then Lambert. I don't feel this. I don't feel bad blood. Nina is still coming to the gym. Now they left for the staff. And I was training with Nina. And we want to help each other.

But I don't know. It was her decision. She's the champ. She's still the champion. We can't forget that she's still the champion. And I really believe in her that she will be better. like to holding two belts. So yeah, I feel Carolina is coming to American top-in.

Karina Kovarkevich prepared for her next fight. So many great people, like you said. But I feel and I hope that nothing gonna change and I will stay in ITP forever. I'm a little bit upset with the new girls and I don't like the ego of the new girls. And some of them, they are young, of course, they're talented, they're very good.

But sometimes they make groups, groups and you know I've been out for a while I got back because I'm always very friendly I'm tough on the mat very strict but these girls they know not train I'm like dude sometimes like really are we ATT nation are we ATT girls or we are not you know because if you want to be a rival they can be a rival in the cage you know but so this is what I don't like now but there are good good good girls who are training with me who we are training together but sometimes the ego of these girls no i'm not gonna do with you because you too strong you too good or maybe jj you too weak for this you know and i know i

want to do with you but i feel like you can get a lot from each person in the gym and every training you know doesn't matter if this person is better than you or or or a little bit lower in the level the new but but yeah so I feel like I'm happy for the new generation but sometimes they feel like you know

they should get everything like for fear even your time your attention but it's not like this you know first of all we are humans and we should respect each other yeah

yeah well I know that when you are at American top team you you know again it's like a second home to you and I know that's I know loyalty's been a big part of it, you know, wins or losses. You know, you've been there with Mike Brown and Ketel Kubis and your team, and I know how much they mean to you in that regard. And it's not to say, you know, bring it back to a man,

it's not to say they don't mean anything to her, but I mean, I know how much that is important to you. But it is weird to hear you say that about, you know, the kind of the new fighters. We do hear this from time to time. Fighters coming in. And I haven't, and I have the podcast punching in with the Lamberti, Ritchie, and I, you know, like, you don't bring this,

sometimes you don't bring the situation. I'm very happy and I'm happy with the training. I, my, my coaches, not only my kid, Branca-Cocubis, but the rest of the coaches are taking really good care. Not only of me, but the rest, all of the fighters, you know, and we all feel on the same, like, level, you know, the treat, the way they treat us, coaches, the number. They've been lovely, I call him a father,

but sometimes it's weird and why not to bring it out? Like, these girls should, and I suppose, with someone important in the gym and I thought like, hey, is it only me or I see big, I think that some of the girls should keep the ego or put the ego into the pocket. And he said like big ego. I'm like, okay, so I'm right, you know, I smell the bullshit and that's not right, you know, but like I said, I'm the former champion, you know, but I'm still on the highest level. So if we train together, it's good for both of us, you know.

So I don't need your attention. I don't need your training, you know, if you want to play like this. So I prefer to train with the guys and get really good, good training, you know, and only hang out with them. It's funny you say that I spoke to if you know who Casey O'Neill is. It's sad, you know. It's sad. It's sad for me that the girls are worse than the guys sometimes, you know.

And this is sad because you build some. success. Success is built on good family and friendship and yeah on the good relationship you know not the not the mean things yeah uh if you know who kacey o'neill is the flyweight fighter she just fought roxan motore last week and i'd spoke to her a couple weeks ago and she said she's out of extreme couture and she said she only spars with her male training partner she said they're just there ended up being too much drama around training with some of the women and she and i if you remember this is going back when I was down at ATT with you. I saw you sparring a couple of the guys down there

and they're really intense, great training sessions. But she said that, like, she only trains with guys because there's just too much drama sometimes surrounding training with some of the girls. I totally understand her. And some of the girls, they are tough. They train really hard. We have so many talented young girls.

Oh, gosh, man, they are so good and they are going to do really, really well in the future. But, yeah, too much drama. And sometimes they want to go easy. Like, I don't go easy during training. Training is time to learn, to evolve, to really get on the next level. Even if you feel like you're the best, in the best shape of her, you can be better. With every training and every day, you can be better.

You can change some things. And sometimes I feel like gossiping. You know, I don't do this bullshit. And sometimes there is three of them like training like, hey, why to switch in three? like I'm free or my friend is free or that guy is free you free so let's let's train together like no we we three train together so yeah and you're standing you waiting to get instead of getting as much time together training like I'm that just it's just stupid you know it's like I don't like to I don't like to waste any second of training you know I'm always it's like high school it's like

high school yeah it is man it is yeah go to thing, I don't like this, you know. Bringing it here and now, you know, and make the situation to you, especially when you're teammate, you know. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I know you're also kind of like the old school ATT. You've been there for a while. You're the queen.

We know, I think that's what Dan Lambert calls you. You're the queen, right? Yeah, but I don't act like a queen, you know. I don't act like a queen and that's the thing, you know. I don't need this attention. Like, of course, it sounds like I'm a narcissist, but no, I did call because they make fun of me with Richie, but, man, they know that they always can, my teammates, they can count on me, you know, they, they, they, they know that I'm always there for them. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. So you're here, you've been here for about a month,

you said you're going to be here for three months. Do you have, like, things going on back home in Poland, like when you go back in terms like all your commitments, like in terms like all the things you're doing over there? Like, do you have? have to carve out this three months to come over here? Or how is your schedule in terms of like with you booking a fight and things like that? How do you deal with that? Because you do have so many obligations back home. Yeah, man, I'm happy that finally I surrendered by good people.

It's all about chat because back in a day, I thought I had the best people in the business to do this or that. But now I get as much as I can from here and now from this conversation, from this moment, from this person. and I feel like my passion you say I learned this word. So the group of people, my friends and the business partners is like so tight. So we expect more. I became like sometimes more bitchy because I'm like, no, we don't do this way.

You can't do this way because I used to be not assertive enough, but now I am and I know it's a good habit. especially in the business. But I have people who run these things and I get just reports every day. But, you know, I'm planning to do another TV show in Poland to be a host maybe or part of like kind of host. So they have so many things coming up. I'm planning.

But right now I want to be focused on staying here until middle of April. And I'm really looking forward to be a guest at the UFC 272 272 yeah it's Georgie it's fight or three so I'm really looking forward I'm on the list so I'm really hoping I will get there

meet my friends meet all of you guys and feel the atmosphere again but yeah I keep eye on everything everything I'm in touch with my people in Poland and I'm very happy

that's the that's the key yeah are you are you excited to see Georgie's fight with Colby Covington? I am very, very excited. And it's hard. Colby is a great upload, you know, and what I remember from back in a day

that he was always training on the mat. When the training was done after one and a half hour, he was doing extra one and a half hour with Georgie must be dull. And actually, I had this conversation with Jodko a few days ago that how crazy it is they were friends. They were always together.

Now you see all these promo videos like they were cornering each other. And now the biggest rivals. And it's crazy, you know, it's tough fight for both of them. But I really have a feeling that Georgie must be done with surprise again, like he did with Garren Pill or Ben Ascreen. And I can tell you guys that he's training really hard. He's super focused. And I'm very happy for Georgie that he made it from nothing to something, you know,

that he got what he deserved, you know. Yeah. I'm super happy for him. It's super big, big fight and super important fight for all of us. But he has all this ATT army behind his back

because Colby just made a, maybe he didn't, he didn't, he didn't make a good impression when he was living, you know, so yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, you know,

you know through your own hard work, you want to, in terms of like, you know, you've got, you get a lot of attention. You're a star, all these kind of things, but you've kind of been yourself this entire time. You've never changed who you are as a person to just get attention. You don't suddenly start saying crazy things, just hoping someone will put a microphone in front of your face.

And listen, I don't fault anyone for getting attention. I don't fault anyone for going on and getting a paycheck. But the one thing with Colby, it's like you burn a lot of bridges doing that. And he burned a lot of bridges, you know, leaving American Top Team. You can. You can't. You can't burn the bridge. bridges and the worst thing about Colby is that most of the things he said he has done.

It wasn't true, isn't true, you know, the way he was acting after he won the interim but like the old man opening the door for him, him having a driver, all these girls, dirty bitches around him, walking to our mecca American top team. It wasn't true, man. So why are you acting like Conor McGregor, like saying bad things about Conor McGregor? When you, there's one, there's only one Conor McGregor. So don't call him, don't call names on him and you're trying to act like him, you know. But you poor, you have empty pockets and you're trying to act like a king, you know.

You can't do these things. You can't tell lies, you know. And karma is bad. and I hope that Kobe will have strong ass when it hits him. I'm looking forward to that, and I think, you know, Yonah, we're all looking forward to you fighting again. I know we've had this conversation a couple of times, but, you know, I had... You know what's funny? You know, Johnny, like, so many great athletes, like, from different organizations, the upcoming prospects from our general...

Oh, Joanna, when are you going to fight? I'm like, dude, I don't know. Maybe never? I'm like, no, you can't. We want to see you fighting. I'm like, dude, I know. But I feel like, I feel like, I will get what I want. And I feel like I just need to be more patient, more patient.

And I really, no, like we were talking like, I could go and fight for this money. I'm getting now. But I will feel ashamed to fight for this money, you know, because my man, like, you saw me after my last fight. and I want to be mother in the future. I'm going to be business women. I want to enjoy my life. So I don't want to get beat up or get the health issues for nothing. So whether to get the paycheck and do it.

Yeah. Well, that's a great, again, what I want to say to you is like, I love watching you fight. I love watching you perform. But the reality is, Joanna, I get as just as much pleasure seeing you find success in other things. And if fighting isn't providing that in terms of, you know, compensation, it's not paying you what you need to be to be in the cage and you can do TV shows, you can do endorsement. I want you to be happy. I want you to be happy.

And that's the thing. I love watching a fight. But I don't want to watch a fight when you're not happy with what you're getting paid, all these kind of things. So happiness matters more, right? Thank you. It means a lot to me, man. It's like it's melting my heart, really, because.

it's hard for me. I ask myself every day, like, should I have been doing, should I've been fighting or not? And I pray every day, like, God, give me the answer. Help me. Like, you know what happened to Lima last time? Jesus was like, no, I'm not fighting anymore. God gave me an answer, you know? You heard about the Balater fighter. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'm, you know, it's really different with me, but I'm like, should or not? And like, people, like me, like, because I'm like, like I said in the beginning of this interview, like, I should be fighting to, to keep the deals, to do this, to do that. No, I have brought my legacy is so big,

but I'm very happy to have people like you. I'm very happy to have someone like Jennifer Goldstein. Man, he's super smart and he's like role model to me. She's representing me. She's from CIA, but, and she told me this too, like, I want to see you happy, but you know, I know one of people that are like, do what you feel like, you want to do, but it's hard to say stop to the things you love doing, you know.

But yeah, we will see, man. We will see. Well, you only have you mentioned it. I hate to say this, but now it's all about the money. Somehow it's all about the money, you know. Yeah. Well, I mean, listen. I mean, yeah, we all listen.

They can get this money and go and get a bit up, like train, you know. And like I feel like I can get more because there is much more money in this. sport then when I was the champion even you know yeah yeah I love I love my job I love covering the sport I love talking to fighters like you I love doing what I do but I'm not doing it for free I'm not I'm not doing this because I love it so you love it but you need to be paid properly so you get to get paid for doing what you love and it's not like it's not enough I feel like I'm on another level right now. I need to get paid. I act for promotion,

you know. People say like, oh, but you don't have a belt. You lose. You're losing fight. But, man, maybe I lost my last fight, but it was hell of a fight, fight of the year, you know. Yeah. Well, hey, Connor, Connor doesn't have a belt. And, you know, Connor, you know, everyone who watches what,

Costa Pore. You know, Dustoporri is a star right now. You mentioned George Mazadol, a star. He didn't have a belt right now. He's still a star. He's headlining a pay-per-view. I mean, that doesn't. But George, he told me, like, yeah. I was in the spot. where are you at right now and be patient.

This is what Georgie said. So thanks, Georgie. I will be patient. I love it. Well, Yonah, thank you so much for taking the time for me. As always, you know, I always love our conversations. I'm glad everything is going well in Florida. Actually, funny enough, I'm actually speaking to your coach, Mike Brown, later tonight.

So I'll... Oh, that's nice. Yeah, so I look forward to... Let him like, tell like, Mikey, go home because he's always in the gym. He's great. But I'm very happy to That I That like how many years

Like four, five, six years Almost six years ago I found coach like Mikey Brown Calcutta Kubis They are there for you You know There are people There are coaches who are not going to say like

I made you But they're for you To make a better person You know better athlete Better professional Martial artist And but this is crazy This dude doesn't

sleep, you know. He is. He is. He's crazy. But we love you, Mikey Brown, and thank you for doing it. Absolutely. You want to thank you again for the time. I always appreciate it.

Enjoy Florida. Enjoy the beach. It's cold. I'm in Ohio right now. I got Poland weather up here right now. It's very cold. It's cold here as well. It's raining a lot.

It's windy. This week is like winter storm, they say. But it's crazy. But, guys, I love you. I'm looking for you. GFC 272 in Vegas. Love you all and I can't wait to step into the dark again and do it for you guys. Much love.

Thank you, Yohanna. Talk to you soon, okay? Take care. Bye. Bye-bye. A massive thank you as always to Yohanna-Jechak for giving me the time. What a fun interview that was. I want to say a big thank you to her for taking the time out.

Make sure you listen to this podcast. If you want to find on other podcast platforms, of course you can find on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts. Everywhere you get your podcast, you will find it. And, of course, you can always find it over at mMAfighting.com. Make sure you come back and see us each and every Tuesday here on Fighter versus Rider. And thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you then. Listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.