Joanna Jedrzejczyk calls Rose Namajunas ‘mentally unstable’, says she’s ‘broken already’

There was no war of words between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Rose Namajunas on Wednesday but that didn’t stop the reigning women’s strawweight champion from unleashing an unprompted attack on her opponent at UFC 217 in New York.

The two fighters took part in the pre-fight media conference call where they answered numerous questions from reporters but they didn’t engage much with each other.

That was until Jedrzejczyk heard Namajunas mention something about becoming a champion and almost like that was a personal attack, the 115-pound queen absolutely unleashed on the former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor.

“Listen, you didn’t want to do media, you didn’t want to do extra media — how are you going to be a champion and deal with all the things?” Jedrzejczyk shouted at her opponent. “You know what, you are not strong mentally.

“You are mentally unstable and you are broken already and I will break you in the fight.”

Rather than firing back at the champion, Namajunas preferred a more subtle approach while pointing out the benefits she’s received from martial arts when dealing with her own issues outside the cage.

“I think there’s a lot of mental instability in this whole country and I think that’s a great reason to fight” Namajunas said. “I think the world would be a better place if we all just did martial arts and it saved my life so I’m super grateful for it.

“I’m super grateful for this experience and this opportunity.”

Despite the non-confrontational response, Jedrzejczyk was unrelenting with her verbal barrage aimed at Namajunas during the call.

“I think that you have some personal problems and I will show you what’s your problem, OK? You’re never going to be a champion,” Jedrzejczyk said.

Once again, Namajunas took the high road while also explaining how her own family has dealt with mental health issues in the past and that’s a big reason why she refuses to engage in that conversation with Jedrzejczyk ahead of their fight.

“I’m not sure if it’s a cultural difference or something like that but for me it’s not something that’s taken lightly,” Namajunas said. “My family has been torn apart. My dad died and he wasn’t in my life because he had schizophrenia and it’s something my entire family has been fighting against since I can remember.

“This fight means a lot to me and it’s not just about the belt. It’s more than that and I just want to inspire people to f–king do whatever the f–k you want to do. Do what makes you happy and be a good a person and you can overcome anything.”