Report: Jedrzejczyk unable to make weight for UFC Tampa main event
The main event for Saturday's UFC Tampa card is reportedly in doubt.
Former women's strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk has informed the UFC that she won't be able to make the 116-pound weight limit for her scheduled fight with Michelle Waterson, sources told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.
A catchweight fight between the two was offered, but Waterson has declined it, according to Helwani.
Several options to save the fight have been proposed, including Jedrzejczyk relinquishing 30% of her purse to Waterson or even the UFC paying the fine for the fighter. The promotion is also considering moving the featherweight bout between Cub Swanson and Kron Gracie up to the main event.
Jedrzejczyk, however, is doing what she can to ensure the fight isn't canceled.
I’m told Joanna Jędrzejczyk had a good workout this AM and does not want the fight to get canceled. After it was made clear Team Waterson was not interested in a catchweight, JJ has decided to do everything — within reason — to make 116. She‘ll be at open workout later today.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 9, 2019
The longest-reigning UFC champion in women's strawweight history took to Instagram on Wednesday to address the controversy.
“The weigh-in is on Friday, keep it calm guys, all fine”
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) October 9, 2019
- @joannamma just posted a message on her Insta story regarding her weight ahead of this weekend’s clash against Michelle Waterson #UFCTampa
📺 pic.twitter.com/L5KCwh5ZTJ
Jedrzejczyk's last fight came in December when she moved up a weight class to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the women's flyweight title at UFC 231.
She entered the contest with Waterson looking to rebound from three losses in her last four fights, with each defeat coming with a title on the line. Jedrzejczyk lost her strawweight belt to Rose Namajunas in November 2017 and dropped the rematch the following June. She topped Tecia Torres last July before losing to Shevchenko via unanimous decision.
Waterson, 17-6, has won her last three fights.