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Video: UFC strawweight champ Zhang Weili picks up 300+ pound NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal

Reigning UFC strawweight world champion Zhang Weili may come in a small package, but she packs a big punch and plenty of power. Fresh off her dominant unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in August, Zhang showed off some of that iconic strength by lifting up 7’1? and 325-pound NBA Hall of […]

Reigning UFC strawweight world champion Zhang Weili may come in a small package, but she packs a big punch and plenty of power.

Fresh off her dominant unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in August, Zhang showed off some of that iconic strength by lifting up 7’1″ and 325-pound NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal in a clip, which you can see below, courtesy of Parry Punch on X.

It’s not the first time Zhang Weili has shown off her strength by picking up someone more than twice her size. Last year, a video of ‘Magnum’ raising former UFC heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou off the ground in a similar fashion went viral.

What’s Next for Zhang Weili?

After suffering back-to-back losses against ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas in 2021, Zhang Weili bounced back with three straight wins kicked off by a stunning second-round knockout against Joanna J?drzejczyk in a rematch of their 2020 classic. From there, ‘Magnum’ reclaimed the strawweight title with a rear-naked choke submission of two-time titleholder Carla Esparza at UFC 281.

With her decisive five-round performance against Amanda Lemos, Zhang improved her record to 8-2 inside the Octagon and 24-3 overall.

What comes next for ‘Magnum’ is yet to be determined, but the likeliest options have her competing against fellow countrywoman Yan Xiaonan or undefeated Covina, California native Tatiana Suarez.

“She’s good,” Zhang said of Suarez during the UFC 292 post-fight press event. “She’s undefeated. She’s a very good fighter. I think she can be a potential challenger next.”

Who would you like to see Zhang compete against in her next strawweight title defense?

Sonnen Names Sub Grappling Bout He Looked To Book For Shaq

Former UFC star Chael Sonnen has revealed which MMA great he looked to pit basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal against for a submission grappling match. O’Neal made his name in sport on the court, where he completed a career that left him wi…

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NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Names His Favorite Active MMA Fighter

Shaquille O’Neal names one of Stockton’s finest, Nate Diaz, as his favorite MMA fighter. The four-time NBA champion is highly revered in basketball. He committed 19 years to the center position in six different teams, including the Lakers and Celtics. Now, among a lengthy list of trades, “Shaq” offers his expert opinion as an NBA…

Continue Reading NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Names His Favorite Active MMA Fighter at MMA News.

Shaquille O’Neal names one of Stockton’s finest, Nate Diaz, as his favorite MMA fighter.

The four-time NBA champion is highly revered in basketball. He committed 19 years to the center position in six different teams, including the Lakers and Celtics. Now, among a lengthy list of trades, “Shaq” offers his expert opinion as an NBA analyst.

Shaquille O’Neal, Photo Credit: AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill

The giant and former NBA sensation is a big fan of mixed martial arts and has high regard for MMA fighters.

O’Neal trained in the sport and credits it as helping him transform into the best shape of his life.

Over the weekend, two exciting sporting events took place. On Saturday, MMA fans watched Adesanya defend the middleweight throne against Whittaker in their rematch at UFC 271. The following day, football fans geared up to watch the Rams defeat the Bengals in the Super Bowl.

O’Neal likely enjoyed both events. During a Super Bowl party, “Shaq” gave props to Nate Diaz. He appreciates the Diaz fighting style and brutality he brings to the cage.

“I love Nate… because I love his fighting style. It’s similar to mine. IDGAF, if you know what I mean. He’s just real. I like people that are real, you know… and you gotta respect people like that,” O’Neal told ES NEWS.

“Shaq” joins a plethora of MMA fans that love watching Nate Diaz put on outstanding performances in the Octagon. He brings toughness, viciousness, and strategic wit that gets under his opponents’ skin, and the crowd roars for it.

From social media banter and controversy to telling reporters like it is, no one expects Nate Diaz to fail at “keeping it real.” No matter how famous the name, Nate Diaz demands a piece of the action. And win or lose, he does not miss an opportunity to give his opinion on anything or anyone that catches his attention.

What’s Next For Nate Diaz?

Shaquille O’Neal retired in 2011, and Diaz claims he is planning his retirement bout for this year against Dustin Poirier.

Both fighters want each other as their next opponent. Neither fighter landed a win in their previous bouts, so this pairing would be a battle for redemption.

As a fan of O’Neal, “Shaq” might just be in attendance at the next Nate Diaz fight in the front row, cheering on his favorite fighter in what could be his final match.

Who is your favorite MMA fighter?

Continue Reading NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Names His Favorite Active MMA Fighter at MMA News.

Chuck Liddell Open To “Fun” Fight With Shaq Or Charles Barkley

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell has called out NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley as potential boxing opponents. Liddell, 51, hasn’t fought in MMA since his knockout loss to long-time rival Tito Ortiz in their 2018 trilogy bout. It was th…

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Chuck Liddell Open To ‘Fun’ Fight With Shaquille O’Neal

Chuck Liddell is open to the idea of fighting NBA legends, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. The former UFC light heavyweight champion hasn’t fought in MMA since being swept aside by Tito Ortiz in their trilogy fight in 2018. Before that, Liddell had been retired from fighting since 2010 after a run of consecutive knockout […]

Chuck Liddell is open to the idea of fighting NBA legends, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion hasn’t fought in MMA since being swept aside by Tito Ortiz in their trilogy fight in 2018. Before that, Liddell had been retired from fighting since 2010 after a run of consecutive knockout defeats.

Recently, the 51-year-old expressed an interest in fighting Jake Paul. ‘The Iceman’ later said a fight with the internet celebrity would never actually happen.

For now, he’s content being the referee in celebrity boxing matches. Liddell is set be the man in the middle when former NBA star, Lamar Odom squares off against Backstreet Boy, Aaron Carter tonight.

During an appearance on Jimmy Smith’s ‘Unlocking The Cage’, Liddell talked about which celebrities he’d like to box.

“Yeah, Shaq would be a fun one, change it up and try to reach Shaq,” Liddell said. “You gotta remember, one of my sparring partners for a long time was 6’10. So it’s not big, but I trained with Gan McGee forever, and my brother is 6’4, 6’5, 300lb. But standing next to Shaq, Shaq’s a big man… I’m always around big guys, but Shaq’s one of those few guys you go up to and go ‘Damn, Shaq’s big.’”

‘The Iceman’ added that he wouldn’t mind squaring off against Charles Barkely in the boxing ring as the pair already have a competitive history.

“Maybe Charles Barkley,” Liddell said. “He challenged me to come back and beat him in a golf tournament again. I beat him in a Tahoe tournament. I was second to last, but I beat him. I pulled it out in the last hole and beat Charles Barkley.” (Transcribed by Middle Easy)

Do you want to see UFC legend Chuck Liddell in a celebrity boxing match?

Shaquille O’Neal Compares Himself To The Diaz Brothers

Basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal has always been known to be MMA fan in recent years. He always towers over UFC fighters when it comes to photo ops. Despite contrasting heights, Shaq can still relate to a dynamic duo. The Diaz brothers. Nick and Nate Diaz are MMA’s most famous siblings. Nick is a former Strikeforce […]

Nick and Nate Diaz are MMA’s most famous siblings. Nick is a former Strikeforce champion and is also a former UFC title challenger, on the cusp of welterweight gold twice in his career. He would be a part of some of the biggest fights in UFC history, including a marquee headliner against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 158 back in 2013.

One decision loss later, the elder Diaz would take on Anderson Silva in 2015. He would endure another decision loss that would be overturned to a no-contest because of failed drug tests from both fighters. With a 5-year ban inflicted by USADA on the Stockton native, Diaz has not returned ever since. He has teased about a return, but has not came through.

Nate Diaz, the younger brother, would also go on to do great things with his MMA career. Diaz cemented his icon-status with a row of high-selling PPVs headlining against the likes of Conor McGregor twice and competing for the inaugural ‘BMF’ belt against Jorge Masvidal.

Nate hasn’t fought since but will look to get back in the win column and possibly even title contention against #3 Leon Edwards at UFC 262 (May 15).

Shaquille O’Neal likes what the brothers have brought to the fight game. The NBA hall-of-famer would see his likeness in the future UFC hall-of-famers.

“I actually like the Diaz brothers.” O’Neal told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “They kinda remind me of myself. We just don’t give a damn.

“We’re always gonna put on a show and it don’t matter what you put in front of us. [Michael] Jordan, [Charles] Barkley, Karl Malone… we’re still gonna step up.”

Do you think Shaquille O’Neal and the Diaz Brothers are alike?