Joanna Jedrzejczyk got back on track against Tecia Torres at UFC Calgary, battling her way to a hard-fought unanimous decision win.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk, at this time last year, was viewed as an unstoppable champion at strawweight with multiple title defenses and an eye on another title at flyweight. Two losses in a row to Rose Namajunas, however, led her to a fight with Tecia Torres at UFC Calgary.
Torres, meanwhile, was on a winning streak until she met Jessica Andrade earlier this year. That loss to the Brazilian was a setback, but she had the opportunity to bounce right back against former champ Jedrzejczyk.
Tecia Torres meanwhile had a decent strategy that was very clear going into the fight: pressure Joanna and don’t let her settle and find her range. While Torres did put that game plan to use early, and find some success, Joanna proved to be too much. As the ‘Tiny Tornado’ attempted to get the takedown multiple times, she was stuffed on each and every occasion. Joanna just looked so much bigger, so much more adept in her striking, and was in possession of leg kicks that Torres simply had no answer for. Had Torres found a takedown here and there, the fight might have gone in another direction. Instead, Jedrzejczyk found her range and landed any time they were at distance.
Torres would end the third round in control, having again pushed Jedrzejczyk up against the fence. But Jedrzejczyk proved as dangerous in closed quarters as she was at a distance. On the judges scorecards, it wasn’t close. 30-27 across the board.
While a quality win for Joanna, it’s very unlikely she sees a title shot anytime soon. With two clear losses to the champion Rose Namajunas, it’s just not a fight the UFC needs to make. She’ll need to run through the top of the division again, more than likely, even if it means rematches against fighters she’s already beaten. Though an injury could always open up an opportunity for her, as long as she continues to win in dominant fashion, as she did tonight.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Tecia Torres by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
