Jedrzejczyk believes she will get strawweight belt back by end of 2018
Joanna Jedrzejczyk may have taken a few hard knocks en route to her first career losing streak, but her confidence remains untarnished.
The former strawweight champion lost her title to Rose Namajunas last November via first-round knockout and then dropped the rematch by unanimous decision in April at UFC 223. Jedrzejczyk said after the April card that she believed she had won the bout, and a month later, she feels confident that it's only a matter of time before she's on top again.
Related: Despite loss to Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk calls herself 'the queen' of strawweights
"I have a big plan to get the belt back at the end of the year, and I'm still the strawweight," Jedrzejczyk said Monday on "The MMA Hour."
Some thought a logical move for the Polish strawweight would be to move up to the newly-formed women's flyweight division. Jedrzejczyk, who recently took a fight with Tecia Torres on July 28, says she plans to reclaim the 115-lb belt before going to 125 lbs.
It has proven exceptionally difficult for UFC fighters to get a third title shot after losing two straight championship matches, but Jedrzejczyk believes she will get another title shot if she beats Torres in July. Though, she wouldn't divulge whether UFC president Dana White told her she'd get her wish.
"I am very happy to face Tecia Torres and get another title shot after this fight - that's the plan. ... " said Jedrzejczyk. "I want this belt and I will get this belt back. Mark my words."
Still believes she proved she is "still simply the best" at UFC 223 in Brooklyn and says "I'm still the champ" despite the back-to-back losses.
The 30-year-old says she's ready and willing to put in a lot of work of over a long period of time to reclaim the strawweight crown, but believes "it will happen very, very quick."
Namajunas does not currently have a fight scheduled and said after her latest win that she is planning to take some time off before returning the Octagon next fall or winter.