UFC champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk denies rumors of Michelle Waterson fight, says 'Karate Hottie' not next

DENVER – Everything about the rumor that Joanna Jedrzejczyk would defend her strawweight title against Michelle Waterson apparently is false. That includes both the date and the opponent.

Rumors surfaced earlier this week that reigning 115-pound champ Jedrzejczyk (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would put her belt on the line against Waterson (14-4 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC 211, which is scheduled for May 13 in Dallas.

Jedrzejczyk was a guest fighter at tonight’s UFC on FOX 23 event, and when asked directly about the situation, the Polish titleholder said the talk was news to her.

“There was a rumor that I’m going to fight Michelle Waterson on (UFC 211), probably, but no, it’s not true,” Jedrzejczyk told reporters. “I was surprised because I got so many phone calls, so many messages, because I was super busy for the last three days and I saw the information. I even called (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) last night and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ But no, I’m not going to fight Michelle Waterson yet, not on (211).”

Jedrzejczyk, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s strawweight rankings, is coming off her fourth consecutive successful title defense. She defeated her countrymate, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, by unanimous decision at UFC 205 in November, extending her undefeated record to 13-0.

Waterson, meanwhile, made waves in her most recent octagon appearance when she returned from a more than 17-month layoff to quickly submit Paige VanZant in the UFC on FOX 22 headliner in December.

Although “The Karate Hottie” is a former Invicta FC atomweight champion and is unbeaten in two UFC appearances, Jedrzejczyk doesn’t think she’s the top contender in the weight class. Who Jedrzejczyk could fight instead is unknown, but the champion claims it’s unlikely to be Waterson.

“I’m still waiting for the date and the name of my opponent,” Jedrzejczyk said. “Tomorrow I fly back to Florida to start my camp. … She’s a good fighter, but she’s had just one fight. She was injured for a long time. I think that she’s not the next challenger for me.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.