Joanna Jedrzejczyk hospitalized after brutal facial injuries

LAS VEGAS: Joanna Jedrzejczyk was left with a badly disfigured face after a brutal war against Weili Zhang in their strawweight title bout at UFC 248 on Saturday night.

The Polish fighter dropped a split decision against the Chinese champion but was left with an enormous haematoma on her face following the fight.

Both fighters were taken to hospital after the slug-fest, but despite absorbing a great deal of punishment, Jedrzejczyk would not allow her injuries or pride to prevent her from congratulating her opponent on the win.

“It doesn’t matter, I carry myself as a champ with the belt or without,” she said. “I was very proud of her, congrats Weili.”?

Zhang (now 21-1) traded brutal punches and kicks with Joanna Jedrzejczyk (now 16-4) throughout a frenetic five rounds to thrill the crowd, in stark contrast to the dull main event as Israel Adesanya defended his middleweight title over Yoel Romero.

Zhang who was given the nod 48-47 on two judges’ cards, while Jedrzejczyk won 48-47 on the third, could not hide her delight at the decision.

After Zhang and Jedrzejczyk put on one of the most viscerally entertaining bouts in recent UFC history, Romero and Adesanya staged a snoozer that had fans booing and chanting obscenities.

Adesanya (19-0) still defended his belt for the first time, winning 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 on the judges’ scorecards.

Romero (13-5) fought an extraordinarily passive fight. Adesanya appeared unable to figure out a way through the 42-year-old Brazilian’s defenses, but his efforts mattered more to the judges. Agencies

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