Weili Zhang News

Adam D Martin - April 26, 2021

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sent a message of support to Weili Zhang following her UFC 261 title loss to Rose Namajunas. Zhang lost her belt to Namajunas when she suffered a first-round head kick KO loss at UFC 261. It was a tough night at the office for Zhang, who was fighting for the first time in over a year since her split decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk. While she was able to go the full 25 minutes that night, this fight was not the same as Zhang was put out quickly in the first round. It was a tough loss for the Chinese champion, but knowing Zhang, she will be back at the gym Monday morning and getting ready to make another run for the belt.

Adam Martin - April 25, 2021

UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas issued a statement following her head kick KO win over Weili Zhang at UFC 261. Namajunas entered the UFC 261 co-main event as a considerable betting underdog, but she showed that the odds were wrong and she was being overlooked with a brutal head kick KO just over a minute into the fight. For Namajunas, it was a successful opportunity to win back the women’s 115lbs belt that she lost to Jessica Andrade in Brazil two years ago by taking out Zhang and snapping her 20-fight win streak. It was an incredible upset on a night that saw a number of underdogs walk away with the win in Jacksonville, Florida.

Christopher Taylor - April 25, 2021

Weili Zhang has issued a statement following her title loss to Rose Namajunas at tonight’s UFC 261 event in Jacksonville, Florida. Zhang (21-2 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time since her thrilling split-decision victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248, which served as her first career title defense. The Chinese standout had captured the promotions 115-pound title with a first round TKO victory over Jessica Andrade back in August of 2019.

Chris Taylor - April 24, 2021

Former UFC strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk was clearly watching tonight’s UFC 261 co-main event between Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang. Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA) is of course familiar with both Rose and Weili, having suffered two previous losses to Namajunas, this before her most recent setback to Zhang.

Chris Taylor - April 24, 2021

Tonight’s UFC 261 event is co-headlined by a strawweight title fight featuring reigning champion Weili Zhang taking on former title holder Rose Namajunas. Zhang (21-1 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since her thrilling split-decision victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248, which served as her first career title defense. The Chinese standout had captured the promotions 115-pound title with a first round TKO victory over Jessica Andrade in August of 2019.

Chris Taylor - April 23, 2021

The Octagon returns to Jacksonville for tonight’s UFC 261: ‘Usman vs. Masvidal 2’ event, a thirteen-bout fight card that features three title fights. Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal originally met last July at UFC 251, where ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ won a clear-cut decision, but ‘Gamebred’ took the fight on six days notice.

Cole Shelton - April 22, 2021

In the co-main event of UFC 261, Weili Zhang is looking to defend her strawweight title for the second time when she battles former champion, Rose Namajunas. Heading into the fight, Zhang is a -210 favorite while the challenger is a +170 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Zhang defending her belt in a very competitive fight.

Harry Kettle - April 21, 2021

The UFC returns to pay-per-view once again this weekend with an arena full of fans in Jacksonville at UFC 261, headlined by Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal 2. Event: UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal 2 Date: Saturday, 24th April 2021 Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5.45pm/8pm/10pm EST

Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021

Rose Namajunas is not backing down after receiving a ton of heat for her “better dead than red” comment regarding UFC champion Weili Zhang. Namajunas (9-4 MMA) is set to challenge Zhang (21-1 MMA) for the promotions undisputed strawweight champion in the co-main event of UFC 261 on April 24 in Jacksonville.

Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021

Women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang has responded to the “better dead than red” comments made by her upcoming opponent Rose Namajunas. Zhang (21-1 MMA) and Namajunas (9-4 MMA) are set to square off in the co-main event of UFC 261 on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Adam D Martin - April 11, 2021

Rose Namajunas took a political jab at UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang ahead of UFC 261, saying “Better dead than red.” Namajunas steps back into the Octagon on April 24 when she takes on Zhang with the 115lbs belt on the line. Ahead of the fight, “Thug” spoke to the Lithuanian National Radio and Television about the fight with Zhang. Namajunas suggested that because of her background as an American – Lithuanian and Zhang’s background as a Chinese fighter, there is extra motivation going into this matchup at UFC 261.

Drake Riggs - April 7, 2021

At UFC 261 on April 24, Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas will be anything but friendly with one another – the current champ hopes that won’t be the case in the aftermath. Coming into the co-main event of the first event to have full crowds back in the UFC, Zhang expects a great battle with her challenger. From there, they can go on to be cordial.

Adam Martin - March 12, 2021

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko says she’s in no rush for a superfight against women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. Shevchenko takes on top contender Jessica Andrade in the co-main event of UFC 261, which takes place on April 24 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the same card, Zhang takes on Rose Namajunas in the main event.

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

The opening betting odds have been revealed for the upcoming UFC 261 women’s strawweight title fight between Weili Zhang and Rose Namajunas. Zhang vs. Namajunas has been long rumored to take place but the fight was only recently confirmed by the UFC, which plans on the bout taking place on April 24. With Zhang vs. Namajunas now official, the sportsbooks have opened up the betting odds for the fight. Take a look at the opening odds for Zhang vs. Namajunas (via BetOnline/BestFightOdds).

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2021

Weili Zhang will look to defend her strawweight title for a second time against Rose Namajunas. For months now, many have been wondering when Zhang would fight again and who she would face. She had options of fighting Namajunas or Carla Esparza or even rematching Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Yet, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Zhang is set to defend her belt against Namajunas on April 24 at UFC 261.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2021

Rampant speculation has surrounded UFC 261 and its location. Now, it appears things will stay in Vegas with a pair of pivotal strawweight bouts. Combate reported on Thursday that the April 24 UFC pay-per-view event will no longer be at what was initially reported as Singapore. Instead, the promotion will stick with keeping things stateside in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex facility.

Drake Riggs - January 28, 2021

It has almost been over a full year since we last saw UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili in action. Thursday, John Hyon Ko of South China Morning Post reported that the UFC is currently targeting an April event for their return to Singapore with the hopes that the 115-pound champ will headline.

Drake Riggs - January 18, 2021

Weili Zhang only has one loss on her MMA record. And that belongs to the UFC champ’s fellow Chinese standout, ONE Championship’s Meng Bo. On Nov. 9, 2013, Bo and Zhang met on the Chinese regional scene for each of their first clashes in MMA. However, despite their professional records both reading that bout as their first career contests, Bo has since revealed that the fight was actually an amateur fight with only two rounds — as can be seen below.