Top 10 best Eastern European fighters in MMA history

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TORONTO, CANADA – DECEMBER 08: Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland prepares to enter the Octagon prior to her UFC strawweight championship fight against Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan during the UFC 231 event at Scotiabank Arena on December 8, 2018, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images). /

4. Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Joanna Jedrzejczyk burst on to the UFC scene as a virtually unknown fighter back in July of 2014. Less than a year later, the Polish fighter fought for the UFC strawweight title, where she entered the bout as a massive underdog but absolutely destroyed Carla Esparza to become the new queen of the UFC strawweight division.

Jedrzrejczyk would go on to be one of the most prominent champions in UFC history. Her five successful title defenses are the most in the women’s strawweight division history and tied with Ronda Rousey for most title defenses by any female fighter. The former professional kickboxer didn’t just defend her title, she utterly dismantled the challengers.

When she won the title, she outstruck Esparza with a total of 53-4. She followed that up with outstriking Jessica Penna 126-25, Valerie Letourneau 176-63, Claudia Gadelha 176-63, Karolina Kowalkiewicz 171-50, and Jessica Andrade 225-83. Though she lost the belt to Rose Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk outstruck the current champion in the rematch 145-105 but still lost a unanimous decision.

Although Jerzrejczyk lost her UFC flyweight debut when she got outpointed by Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant championship, she is still one of the most skilled fighters in all of the women’s MMA. The high output pressure striker with stellar takedown defense and a strong kicking game is only 31-years-old and could still string together some wins and make another run back at capturing UFC gold.

If Jedrzejczyk is unable to win the title again, she will still be one of the greatest champions in history.

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