Esparza, Jedrzejczyk Take Exception To Fedor Emelianenko’s Comments About Women’s MMA

At the UFC 185 open workouts on Wednesday, UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza and number one contender Joanna Jedrzejczyk took exception to recent comments made by MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. During a recent WHOA TV interview, the former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko controversially stated that he felt MMA is a man's sport, adding that women have no business fighting in MMA. Esparza and Jedrzejczyk, who compete in the co-main event this Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, disagree. "I like him so much and he's a living legend," Jedrzejczyk said. "But I think we can do a pretty good job, you know? I think it's not right. We can fight good, we can bring the audience and we can make the show better. That's all." "Facts speak for themselves," Esparza agreed. "He's one of the greats. I have nothing against him. Maybe we differ a little bit in opinion. You know, I think Ronda and the crowd she brought in to LA, the proof is in the pudding. It shows right there." Esparza continued, "I think female MMA is basically the biggest female sport out there right now. We're being put on the same stage as the guys, and obviously Ronda is headlining even above all the guys. It just goes to show, we're on top right now." "Some people are always going to feel the way they feel. But I think day-by-day, fight-by-fight, I'm hearing those whispers a lot less than I used to I think if we go out there and keep showing that we have skills, that we have heart -- I feel like a lot of times girls bring it even more than the guys just with their tenacity and they're just non-stop. That's why it is where it is right now, because they keep proving themselves." Esparza concluded, "We're legit and we're here to stay. Nothing is going to stop this momentum that's been going with the women." Make sure to visit MMANews.com this Saturday night for the best UFC 185 results coverage on the web!