Tecia Torres: Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be champ 'for a while,' but she's beatable

Tecia Torres

Tecia Torres feels she’s capable of putting the first blemish on the record of UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. She’s just in no rush to make it happen.

Torres and Jedrzejczyk are the only undefeated fighters in the UFC’s official strawweight rankings. A showdown appears inevitable, and it’s only being expedited by the fact Jedrzejczyk continues to tear through all challengers.

Jedrzejczyk (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) next puts her 115-pound title on the line against Valerie Letourneau (8-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in UFC 193’s co-headliner on Nov 14. Torres (6-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has a matchup slated against Michelle Waterson (13-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 194 in December.

Should they both emerge victorious, the momentum toward a clash inside the octagon would continue to build.

Torres said she doesn’t intend to campaign for a title shot if she gets past Waterson. Although a win over the former Invicta FC champion would be a stellar addition to her resume, Torres made it clear challenging for the title is not yet a priority.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

“I think my title shot will come around in the future, but I’m taking my time with it,” Torres told MMAjunkie at a recent UFC Q&A. “I want to grow, and I think I still have things to fix and grow before I fight her.”

Title shots don’t come around often in the UFC, and Torres wants to assure she’s fully prepared when hers arrives. That’s reasonable; even though she’s on a six-fight winning streak that includes victories over Paige VanZant, Rose Namajunas and Angela Hill, “The Tiny Tornado” hasn’t earned a stoppage victory.

Torres’ grappling-heavy and wrestling-centric style could be a perfect contrast to Jedrzejczyk, though. The champ is a fearsome striker who’s earned her past two victories by stoppage after pulverizing her respective opponents.

Despite Jedrzejczyk frequently winning in devastating fashion, Torres said the UFC titleholder doesn’t intimidate her and that she can be beaten.

“I’m a fan of the sport, so I’m definitely a fan of ‘Joanna Champion’ and her skills, but on the other hand, it is realistic that one day I could be fighting her,” Torres said. “I think she’s great, and she’ll be champion for a while, but I don’t think she’s (unbeatable).”

For more on UFC 194, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.