LAS VEGAS – Marina Rodriguez wants to fight anyone ahead of her in the rankings … except Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
The UFC women’s strawweight contender wants to keep climbing the ladder at 115 pounds following her main event win over Mackenzie Dern at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 194 in Las Vegas. Rodriguez (15-1-2 MMA, 5-1-2 UFC) outpointed Dern to win a unanimous decision and improve her winning streak to three.
Rodriguez made no secret she wants to fight for the title and go through anyone who gets her closer to that goal. But when asked about a potential matchup with former UFC champion Jedrzejczyk, the Brazilian discarded the idea.
“Sincerely – Joanna doesn’t want to fight me, so I don’t want to fight her because for me she shouldn’t be in the rankings,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie at the UFC Fight Night 194 post-fight news conference. “She doesn’t fight anymore and needs to make space for the girls that are battling and fighting three times a year to earn a spot.
“It can be the Chinese fighter (Yan Xiaonan), whoever. I just prefer that it’s someone who’s in font of me, and then fight for the belt quick.”
Jedrzejczyk hasn’t competed since an instant classic war with then-champion Zhang Weili at UFC 248 in March 2020. She lost the bout by split decision.
Rodriguez is open to fight for the title if the opportunity arises, but she understands Carla Esparza is likely next to take on the winner of the Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang title bout set for Nov. 6 at UFC 268.
“I’ll never deny a chance to fight for the title, but for me, Carla should be next and not Weili,” Rodriguez said. “But since the rematch is booked already with Rose and that’s happening, then if UFC gives me that opportunity, without a doubt I’m taking it. Sorry, Carla. I would prefer for (Esparza) to get the title shot, win the belt and then we can do the rematch, but it can’t take long. I can’t be waiting.”