Weili Zhang News

Thomas Taylor - September 1, 2019

UFC men’s flyweight and bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo has recently made joking callouts of several female UFC stars: flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko, bantamweight and featherweight champ Amanda Nunes, and top bantamweight contender Germaine de Randamie. Shortly after Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight belt at UFC Shenzhen, she was asked how she’d respond if she became the latest woman to be called out by Cejudo.

Thomas Taylor - September 1, 2019

In just 42 seconds, Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight title, became the first Chinese champion in UFC history, and became one of the brightest young stars in MMA. In fact, her abrupt TKO victory over the former champion Jessica Andrade was so impressive that it earned praise from a number of huge celebrities from outside the MMA bubble — and from many inside it.

Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019

New UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang welcomed men’s flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo to the women’s divisions in a comical social media post. Cejudo has been calling out female fighters for the last month, with Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie and now Zhang all getting called out on social media by “Triple C.” Zhang saw that Cejudo called her out and responded to him.

Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019

Women’s MMA trailblazer Ronda Rousey offered praise for the performance of new UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC China. The long-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion took to her Instagram to post a congratulatory message to Zhang, who needed just 42 seconds to finish Jessica Andrade and become the new champ at 115lbs.

Chris Taylor - August 31, 2019

Weili Zhang became the first Chinese champion in UFC history earlier today in Shenzhen, this after scoring a 42-second TKO victory over Jessica Andrade. The sensational victory improved Zhang’s current win streak to twenty in a row and immediately resulted in comparisons to women’s MMA icon Ronda Rousey.

Chris Taylor - August 31, 2019

The UFC’s strawweight title was up for grabs today in Shenzhen, China, as Jessica Andrade put her belt on the line against Weili Zhang. Andrade (20-7 MMA) had captured the promotions strawweight title at May’s UFC 237 event by knocking out former champ Rose Namajunas with a body slam.

Chris Taylor - August 31, 2019

Jessica Andrade put her UFC strawweight title on the line against Weili Zhang in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Shenzhen event. The Brazilian had captured the belt earlier this summer at UFC 237, when she infamously knocked out Rose Namajunas by slamming her on the Octagon canvas.

Cole Shelton - August 30, 2019

Jessica Andrade believes Weili Zhang is a tougher opponent when compared to Rose Namajunas. The Brazilian champion is set for her first title defense when she takes on the Chinese challenger in Zhang. Andrade had won the belt when she infamously knocked out Namajunas by slamming her on her head at UFC 237.

Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019

Jessica Andrade is set for her first title defense in the main event of UFC Shenzhen. She will be taking on Weili Zhang in the challenger’s home country of China. For Andrade, defending her belt in hostile territory will be a new experience, but fighting in someone else’s backyard will not be.

Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019

There has never been a Chinese champion in the UFC. Hebei’s Weili Zhang is looking to change that. This Saturday, when the UFC touches down in Shenzhen, China, the streaking strawweight contender will battle Brazilian champion Jessica Andrade for divisional gold. Zhang can imagine no outcome more perfect than becoming the UFC’s first Chinese champion in front of an arena-full of Chinese fans, and believes a victory will inspire people all over her country.

Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019

This weekend, the Octagon heads to Shenzhen, China. In the card’s main event, Jessica Andrade will put her strawweight title on the line against China’s Weili Zhang. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -160 favorite, while the challenger from China is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Jessica Andrade’s power being too much for Weili Zhang.

Tom Taylor - August 22, 2019

At UFC Shenzhen, China’s Weili Zhang will attempt to wrest the UFC strawweight title from the waist of champion Jessica Andrade — and she’ll do so with women’s MMA trailblazer Ronda Rousey looking on proudly. Speaking on her official Instagram account, the former UFC bantamweight champ Rousey discussed the pride she feels seeing how far women’s MMA has come, and sent a special shoutout to Zhang.

Fernando Quiles - June 24, 2019

Michael Bisping doesn’t believe it would be wise of fight fans to sleep on Weili Zhang. Zhang is set to challenge Jessica Andrade for the UFC women’s strawweight title at UFC Shenzhen on Aug. 31. While Zhang has only had three fights under the UFC banner, she certainly isn’t a rookie with 20 professional bouts to her credit. Bisping took to his “Believe You Me” podcast to praise Zhang:

Mike Pendleton - June 11, 2019

After winning the UFC women’s strawweight title in her home country of Brazil, new champion Jessica Andrade is reportedly heading into enemy territory for her first title defense. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, while contracts haven’t been signed, a strawweight title fight between Andrade and Weili Zhang is close to being finalized for UFC China which will take place on August 31, in Shenzhen, China and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Adam Martin - May 20, 2019

The UFC is headed back to China. Officials announced on Monday that the promotion will hold UFC Fight Night 157 at Universiade Sports Centre in Shenzhen, China on August 31. The card will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Nolan King - March 31, 2019

One of the UFC’s fastest rising strawweight isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Currently ranked #7, China’s Weili Zhang (19-1) has signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC, per her manager Brian Butler-Au. BJPenn.com’s Drake Riggs has since learned the deal is for six-fights.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

In the modern era of mixed martial arts, there are many different reasons one could find themselves attracted to this sport that is the purest form of combat. For every different country, every different person, what it is that piques their interest compared to another might not be identical which just goes to show the great depth that the sport can provide whether as a viewer, participant, or both.

Drake Riggs - November 29, 2018

The UFC strawweight division is deeper and better than it’s ever been right now and leading the new wave of talent is China’s Weili Zhang (18-1). Holding quite the impressive record of 18-1 in her 19 career bouts, Zhang’s lone loss came in her pro debut. Having not looked back since, Zhang has dominated her competition on route to 16 finishes (10 KO/TKOs, six submissions) and six titles in Kunlun Fight MMA.