Polish MMA stars Jan Blachowicz and Joanna Jedrzejczyk both hold the distinction of being former UFC champions.
Blachowicz ruled over the light heavyweight division in 2020 and 2021, while Jedrzejczyk is one of the best strawweights in history, having held the division's title from 2015 to 2017.
With shared roots in Poland, the pair have known each other since long before they arrived in the UFC, back when they were both competing in Muay Thai and kickboxing.
Speaking on Instagram recently Blachowicz reflected on the early years of his Jedrzejczyk's careers.
"This photo was taken in 2008," Blachowicz wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself and Jedrzejczyk. "Zgorzelec Muay Thai training camp. At that time, both of us didn't know where life would take us. We aimed high. We wanted to win, collect some medals. We already had some accomplishments that we were proud of. But still, we dreamed of something bigger. To climb the highest peaks. After 15 years in this game, we can say it proudly. Joanna, we made that dream in to reality."
Blachowicz, born in the Polish town of Cieszyn, won the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in 2020, knocking out Dominick Reyes in the second round. In his next fight, he defended his belt with an impressive decision win over the middleweight champion of the day, Israel Adesanya. He lost the title in his next fight, tapping out to Glover Teixeira.
After a win over Aleksandar Rakic, Blachowicz attempted to reclaim the title in 2022, when he battled Russia's Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant belt. Unfortunately, the fight ended with a draw, and neither man was granted another shot at the belt.
Jedrzejczyk, from the city of Olsztyn, won the strawweight title with a devastating stoppage of inaugural champ Carla Esparza in 2015. She defended the belt with victories over Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Jessica Andrade. She then lost the title via first-round knockout at the hands of Rose Namajunas.
Jedrzejczyk twice to reclaim the title, first against Namajunas, then against Weili Zhang in 2018 and 2020 respectively, but lost by decision both times. Nonetheless, she is considered a legend of MMA, and this year, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as a result.
