Joanna Jedrzejczyk Reveals Harrowing UFC 217 Weight Cut: 'I'm Happy To Be Alive'

Joanna Jedrzejczyk has returned to Poland following her loss at UFC 217 to Rose Namajunas and speaking to the Polish media earlier this week, the former UFC champion has revealed some scary details regarding her weight cut ahead of her last fight.

Speaking to Przegladsportowy.pl, Jedrzejczyk admitted that she suffered from a particularly tough weight cut ahead of her fight in New York.

“I had a very tough weight cut and I know it affected my performance,” Jedrzejczyk said.

“People who I worked with led me to critical condition.”

The former champion went on to reveal the extent of her predicament just the day before her fight at UFC 217.

“I had to face 14 hours of tough weigh cutting,” Jedrzejczyk said. “I only had one goal – make weight. And I told to my doctor several times – I must weight at 115 tomorrow. I don’t care, what I must do now – dig holes, sit in bath tub with very hot water inside, I want to make weight.

“There was some negligence in my camp.”

“I already had problems cutting weight in Dallas in the past and I said repeatedly that I don’t want to make mistakes – as we know, our body changes, and as you’re older, it’s harder to cut weight”

Jedrzejczyk has often spoke about the closeness of her relationship with her weight management company Perfecting Athletes, but this latest experience in New York appears to have deeply affected the former champion. Cutting over 15-pounds the night before weigh-ins is never good practice and Jedrzejczyk believes it was nothing short of miracle she hit 115-pounds.

“I was lighter before fight week, then suddenly my weight increased, which my nutritionist and doctor couldn’t deal with.

“On Thursday evening I had to cut down 7.5 kg, which is a lot.”

“I am happy to be alive, to still function properly, because we heard about fighters, who died or got some health issues due to weight cutting. I rate my life too high, to get repeat that process. It was a miracle. I was praying for 14 hours, and finally, 5 minutes before 11 NY time i had 115 pounds.