← All stories
Combat & UFC

Joanna Jedrzejczyk says women's MMA quality has declined with fewer finishes and less exciting fights

The Ariel Helwani Show · Joanna Jędrzejczyk on Current State of Women's MMA, Praises Valentina Shevchenko, Reflects on Career · July 10, 2026
Joanna Jedrzejczyk says women's MMA quality has declined with fewer finishes and less exciting fights
The Ariel Helwani Show
The Ariel Helwani Show
Joanna Jędrzejczyk on Current State of Women's MMA, Praises Valentina Shevchenko, Reflects on Career
"If you look at the stats about women's MMA, especially in the UFC, there are less fights. The fights maybe are not exciting as used to be. I feel like they're focused too much on what's outside instead of being focused on what's inside the gym, the octagon, you know."
The two-time UFC Hall of Famer criticized the current state of women's MMA, claiming fighters now prioritize appearance and social media over training intensity. She agreed with the assessment that women's fights are no longer regularly the best on UFC cards, suggesting modern fighters lack the commitment that defined her era with Rose Namajunas, Valentina Shevchenko, and Amanda Nunes.
From this episode
The Ariel Helwani Show
The Ariel Helwani Show

Joanna Jędrzejczyk on Current State of Women's MMA, Praises Valentina Shevchenko, Reflects on Career

August 3, 2026 · 48m · 4 Egleze moments
Read episode summary and key points →

More moments from this episode

Combat & UFCJoanna Jedrzejczyk admits she considers comeback every other day four years after retirementCombat & UFCFormer UFC champion claims Jamahal Hill situation involved third party manipulation and denies romantic interestCombat & UFCJoanna Jedrzejczyk reveals UFC matchmakers gave no special treatment during her transition to management
More stories More from The Ariel Helwani Show