Weili Zhang News
Weili Zhang details arduous three-week journey from China to US
Tom Taylor - February 27, 2020
UFC strawweight champ Weili Zhang has made it to the United States for her UFC 248 title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but the journey was not easy. Zhang’s homeland is still reeling from the headline-dominating novel coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed many lives and caused complicated travel restrictions worldwide. These restrictions made it extremely difficult for Zhang to make it to the US, and left her feeling like a “refugee.”
VIDEO | Weili Zhang trains with Muay Thai legend Saenchai
Tom Taylor - February 7, 2020
Amid the rampant spread of the headline-dominating Coronavirus, Chinese UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has moved her training from her native China to Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok, Zhang crossed paths with an absolute legend in Saenchai, widely regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time — and certainly one of the flashiest.
Valentina Shevchenko says Weili Zhang became champ due to 'lucky circumstances', not interested in potential superfight
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko believes Weili Zhang doesn’t deserve the chance to fight her for the women’s flyweight championship. After Zhang beat Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen back in August, she spoke about wanting to move up and fight Shevchenko. Yet, the flyweight champion says Zhang only became a UFC champ because of lucky circumstances.
Weili Zhang will leave China due to coronavirus outbreak, finish UFC 248 camp in Las Vegas
Adam D Martin - February 2, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang has decided to head to leave Beijing and head to Las Vegas to complete her training camp for UFC 248. Zhang is set to take on rival Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248, taking place on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zhang had planned on finishing her training camp in her native Beijing, China, but due to the coronavirus outbreak which has left hundreds dead and thousands more in hospitals, she has decided to head to Las Vegas, Nevada to finish her camp.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals previous relationship affected recent losses
Natasha Hooper - January 4, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk will collide against the current strawweight champion, Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC 248 on Saturday March 7, 2020. During an episode of UFC Unfiltered, the Polish fighter reflected on her time as the 115-pound titleholder and her relationship turmoil that impacted her eventual loss. “Life of a single woman,” Jedrzejczyk laughed off as she described her current relationship status [transcript via MMA Fighting].
Joanna Jedrzejczyk says she will dominate 'not very technical' Weili Zhang
Cole Shelton - January 3, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk believes she will dominate Weili Zhang at UFC 248 in March en route to reclaiming her strawweight title. Since losing the title in 2017 she beat Tecia Torres and then moved up in weight where she lost to Valentina Shevchenko in a fight for the flyweight title. Following the loss, she returned to strawweight in October to beat Michelle Waterson to earn the title shot.
Dana White believes Weili Zhang can be 'one of the biggest stars' in UFC history
Cole Shelton - December 30, 2019
Dana White believes current UFC strawweight champion, Weili Zhang can be one of the biggest stars in UFC history. Zhang had a massive 2019 where she dominated Tecia Torres at UFC 235 and then headlined a UFC event in her home country of China. There, she was taking on Jessica Andrade for the title. She ended up knocking out the Brazilian out in under a minute to become the UFC champ.
Weili Zhang says she will 'fight Joanna in Joanna’s way'
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
Weili Zhang is gearing up to defend her UFC strawweight title against the former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 this March. While Zhang’s camp for Jedrzejczyk is just getting underway, she says this a fight she’s been preparing for for years. “I have known about Joanna for a very long time, even before I was in the UFC,” Zhang told Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post. “I have been preparing for her, and for this fight, for a long time. I know how she moves and how she fights. I always knew that one day we would meet inside the Octagon. I am preparing everything. I am ready.”
Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk targeted for UFC 248
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
The UFC women’s strawweight title will be on the line when champion Weili Zhang takes on challenger Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. The card is set to take place on March 7, 2020, though no location or venue has officially been decided on yet. There have been rumors that this event may take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a main event of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya taking on rival Yoel Romero.
Dan Lambert expects Joanna Jedrzejczyk to fight Weili Zhang in early 2020
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2019
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is expected to fight strawweight champion Weili Zhang in early 2020. When Jedrzejczyk fought Michelle Waterson at UFC Tampa, the expectation was that she would get a title shot with a win. She ended up earning a dominant decision win, so for American Top Team owner Dan Lambert and everyone at Jedrzejczyk’s training headquarters of American Top Team, it’s now just a question of when it happens.
Weili Zhang confident she'll finish Joanna Jedrzejczyk early
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2019
UFC Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang is confident that she’ll be able to get Joanna Jedrzejczyk out of there early if they wind up fighting for the title in 2020. Zhang is still riding a strong wave of momentum after capturing the title by defeating Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen. It took her to 4-0 in the UFC and 20-1 overall, confirming her status as the first ever UFC champion to come from China.
Dana White seemingly confirms Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrezjczyk
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
UFC president Dana White has seemingly confirmed that UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang will fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk next. Zhang and Jedrzejczyk have been going hard at each other recently on social media, and the rivalry reached a tipping point when Jedrzejczyk recently told Zhang that she was willing to travel to China to “beat the sh*t out of her.”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk will go to extreme lengths to fight Weili Zhang
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2019
UFC strawweight Joanna Jedrzejczyk is willing to do just about anything to get her hands on Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang. The Chinese champ is coming off the back of her sensational first round title win over Jessica Andrade which made her the first ever champion to stem from China. Ever since then there have been many questions raised as to who her first title defense will be against, with a series of names being suggested.
Weili Zhang wants Valentina Shevchenko next, if not she'll go and 'beat' Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2019
Weili Zhang has set her eyes on current UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko. Zhang is looking to become another champ-champ in the UFC after just winning the strawweight belt back in August. Why she wants to fight Shevchenko is simple. She wants to fight the best and she believes the 125-pound champion is just that. Yet, if that scrap can not come to fruition, she is fine taking on Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Weili Zhang criticises former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2019
UFC Strawweight Champion Weili Zhang has ripped into the former queen of the division Joanna Jedrzejczyk ahead of a potential fight between the two. Zhang (20-1) is coming off the back of a memorable TKO victory over Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen which served as her coronation as the first-ever Chinese champion in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Maycee Barber believes she'd beat Valentina Shevchenko and 'dominate' Weili Zhang right now
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2019
Maycee Barber will return to the Octagon at UFC Boston on Friday looking to stay undefeated. She is currently 7-0 and just 21-years-old and has been vocal about breaking Jon Jones’ record of being the UFC’s youngest champion. On Friday, she can take another step forward if she beats Gillian Robertson. Although she is not ranked in the top-10 at flyweight, the 21-year-old believes she would beat current division titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko, right now.
Weili Zhang denied US visa, presidential candidate offers to help
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2019
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has confirmed that her request for a visa to enter the United States has been rejected. Zhang (20-1) became the queen of the strawweights on August 31 when she defeated Jessica Andrade in just 42 seconds to become the first ever Chinese-born champion in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was a monumental moment for the development of mixed martial arts in Asia, and it was seen by many as a turning point for Weili’s star power within the sport.
Dana White: Weili Zhang's next opponent will 'depend on a lot of things'
Thomas Taylor - September 5, 2019
Not long after Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight belt with a first-round stoppage of Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen, fans began to speculate as to who might provide the new champ’s first challenge. UFC President Dana White seems to be undecided on that. Speaking to ESPN this week, White was asked who might serve as Zhang’s new opponent. The frontrunners would seem to be the undefeated Tatiana Suarez, the former champion Rose Namajunas, or the winner of the upcoming fight between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson.