Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk was one of MMA’s most decorated fighters. She retired professionally soon after her loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275, ending her legendary career in June 2022. Jędrzejczyk’s attempted comeback in early 2023 was cut short by recurring back injuries, but now, she is finally back to rebuilding her strength.

In an Instagram post shared on June 28, 2026, Jędrzejczyk highlighted her journey back to strength training. She admitted how mentally and physically difficult it was to retire from fighting. However, she was never one to give up completely. The video showed her performing weight hip thrusts and chest flys once again.

“Back to the iron 🏋🏻‍♀️ It feels so good to be back to training with my PT @kamiliwanczyk! On a mission! 🏆 S&C • STRENGTH TRAINING • UNITY • KLINIKA SPORTU,” she captioned the video.

The Instagram video also shows her engaging in mobility drills and light HIIT, which included:

• Leg, hamstring, hip, and shoulder mobility drills
• Normal and one-legged glute bridges
• Planks
• Lizard to downward dog yoga pose
• Superman dynamic stretches
• One-legged side plank
• Walking lunges
• Side lunges
• Box step-ups

Her recent Instagram post marks her return to strength training, which she admittedly loves. She is now focused on her health, fitness, and newer goals outside the Octagon.

However, her love for competition never faded over the years, often admitting that she never wanted to retire.

The mental battle: Why retirement never felt final for Joanna Jędrzejczyk

If there is one fighter who has struggled for the past few years to stay retired, it is Jędrzejczyk. Despite announcing her retirement in 2022, she admitted how she never wanted to give up on fighting.

During an interview with MMA Fighting, Jędrzejczyk said, “I have to be honest with you, yes [I thought about fighting again].” The admission revealed the psychological toll of stepping away from the sport that defined her.

Months after retirement, she kept thinking about coming back.

"Honestly, the first eight months after I retired were the most difficult months in my life probably,” Jedrzejczyk shared. “Because I was thinking every day, I was even calling and texting [UFC CEO] Dana [White], [UFC COO] Hunter [Campbell], my manager, Dan Lambert, my family that I was going to come back.”

However, the physical demands of the sport alongside her recurring injuries made her dream unrealistic.  

When asked about her future plans, she replied simply, “I hope I will stay retired forever. Maybe you’ll see me in some jiu-jitsu competitions one day.”

Jędrzejczyk may have left the Octagon, but the Octagon hasn’t left her mind. Which part of her career inspired you the most?

Follow Bodybuilding Bros for all things fitness!

Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi