Weili Zhang releases a statement after her first-round KO loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261
Out of the three championship fights at UFC 261, only one title changed hands. Rose Namajunas reclaimed the undisputed strawweight crown with a first-round knockout win over Weili Zhang.
The end happened quickly and unexpectedly. Namajunas landed a clean kick on Zhang’s jaw off of her lead leg and subsequently finished the fight in less than a minute and a half.
“Magnum” was visibly disappointed by the result, but after letting it all sink in, she released a post-fight statement on Instagram.
I want to congratulate Rose on her victory. She bounced back from her defeat. I believe I will also come back, only beat a great champion, to become a legend, and beat a legend, I will become a new me.
Before, my goal was to win the UFC championship, but today, I have a higher goal than that. Thank you! It’s normal to lose and win.
That’s the UFC. Andrade, Joanna, Rose have all lost and they all come back and try again. I have deepened my understanding of UFC today. So I believe I can come back. Hopefully, the UFC will schedule a rematch soon
UFC 261 marked Zhang’s first loss since her professional debut in 2013. She now drops to a record of 21-2.