Incredible pictures from before and after UFC bout show fighter left almost unrecognizable by her horrific facial injuries
- Joanna Jedrzejczyk, 32, lost to Weili Zhang, 30, after an epic fight at UFC 248
- The Polish fighter was left with some horrific facial injuries following the contest
- Both fighters were taken to hospital after the five-round bout in Las Vegas
- The bout is already being considered as both the greatest women’s fight in UFC history and the frontrunner for 2020 Fight of the Year
Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzedczyk were left bloody, bruised and swollen after the strawweights staged one of the most spectacular title fights in recent mixed martial arts history.
Horrifying photos show how Polish mixed martial arts star Joanna Jedrzejczyk was left disfigured after her epic fight against Weili Zhang at UFC 248 on Saturday night.
Both Jedrzejczyk, 32, and Zhang, 30, had to be taken to hospital after their mammoth five-round contest, where the strawweight champion Zhang clung on to her belt following a split decision from the judges.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk, 32, of Poland is seen in photos before and after her fight on Saturday night against Zhang Weili, 30, of China during the UFC 248
The bout is already being considered as both the greatest women’s fight in UFC history and the frontrunner for 2020 Fight of the Year
The Polish fighter was left with some horrific facial injuries following the contest
Both fighters, including Zhang Weili of China, left, were taken to hospital after the five-round bout in Las Vegas
Zhang Weili of China punches Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland squarely in the face in their UFC strawweight championship fight during the UFC 248 in Las Vegas, Nevada
After a tough fight from the very start, former champion Jedrzejczyk was humble in defeat and left with substantial visible damage to her face.
Zhang (21-1) came out strong in the opening two rounds, but Jedrzejczyk (16-4), despite a nasty hematoma on her forehead, rallied in Rounds 3 and 4, before Zhang edged her foe in the final round.
‘It doesn’t matter, I carry myself as a champ with the belt or without,’ the 32-year-old Jedrzejczyk said. ‘I was very proud of her, congrats Weili.’ she added, referring to her opponent.
Both fighters were caught by heavy punches early on in the Las Vegas bout.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk had a pre-fight animosity that carried straight into an uncommonly brutal bout in which the fighters traded big punches to the face from the opening round.
Both fighters were caught by heavy punches early on. Zhang’s power appeared to make the difference early, and Jedrzejczyk’s face showed every ounce of it later on.
But Jedrzejczyk gathered herself late in the second round and had an outstanding third, switching to a southpaw stance and battering Zhang. The fourth round was more of the same brute punishment for both fighters.
Jedrzejczyk’s forehead and eyes began to swell badly in the fifth round, while Zhang bled from cuts on her face. The fighters embraced in the cage afterward.
‘She did great,’ Jedrzejczyk said. ‘We both put on one hell of a performance. I’m proud of myself and my team.’
In the end, 30-year-old Zhang from China was awarded the win 28-27.
The bout is already being considered both the greatest women’s fight in UFC history and the frontrunner for 2020 Fight of the Year regardless of gender.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland kicks Zhang Weili of China
Joanna Jedrzejczyk lost to Weili Zhang after an epic fight at UFC 248 that saw blood pouring from her face
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang, right, badly damaged the forehead of former titleholder Joanna Jedrzejczyk who somehow survived the ailment to battle five rounds
‘That was a tough act to follow,’ UFC President Dana White said. ‘I’d have to say the best women´s fight I’ve ever seen, and one of the best fights I’ve ever seen.’
Zhang used her victory to show support and speak out on coronavirus, which impacted her journey to the United States.
It took her three weeks to arrive in the country, following stopovers in Bangkok and Abu Dhabi.
‘It took a long time to get here because of coronavirus in our country,’ said Zhang.
‘Our country is suffering but I hope everyone can come together and fight together and we can beat it.’
Jedrzejczyk suffered a massive hematoma on her forehead as a result of the fight
In the end, both fighters ended up having to go to hospital in what was a brutal bout
Jedrzejczyk, 32, left, suffered a massive hematoma across her forehead from the third round
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