Tag: Weili Zhang

Weili Zhang Names The Fighters Who Turned Her Down

Weili Zhang has come forward in a recent interview to set the record straight once and for all about what led to her receiving a title shot against Jessica Andrade on August 31 in Shenzhen, China. There has been speculation that the reason Weili Zhang …

Weili Zhang has come forward in a recent interview to set the record straight once and for all about what led to her receiving a title shot against Jessica Andrade on August 31 in Shenzhen, China. There has been speculation that the reason Weili Zhang received a world title shot is because of the timing: […]

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Jessica Andrade Expects Fireworks Against Weili Zhang

Jessica Andrade is going into hostile territory to defend her strawweight title for the first time. There, she is heading to China to take on the top Chinese UFC fighter in Weili Zhang. Although it will be a tough fight, not many expected Zhang to get the title shot. The consensus was that it would […]

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Jessica Andrade is going into hostile territory to defend her strawweight title for the first time. There, she is heading to China to take on the top Chinese UFC fighter in Weili Zhang.

Although it will be a tough fight, not many expected Zhang to get the title shot. The consensus was that it would be either Tatiana Suarez or Michelle Waterson. Yet, that is not the case but knows the UFC set up a tough fight and a fight that should bring fireworks.

“She is a really tough fighter,” Andrade said to Portal do Vale Tudo (h/t BloodyElbow). “She has fought Tecia Torres, whom I also fought, and I know how hard it is to fight Tecia. After seeing what she did in that fight, I believe the UFC set up a really good fight. We will surely end the card on a high note, it’ll be fireworks the whole time.

“Weili walks forward all the time, she throws good shots, she’s quick, she’s strong, so I have to be well prepared for this fight,” she continued. “You can be certain that everything will go well on the day of the fight.”

Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang headlines UFC Shenzhen on August 31 in the next UFC card in China.

Who do you think will win the fight between Jessica Andrade and Weili Zhang?

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Jessica Andrade Expects Fireworks In Weili Zhang Clash

When the UFC decided to book Weili Zhang as Jessica Andade’s first UFC title defense, there were more than a few eyebrows raised. After all, Zhang is only ranked #6 in the strawweight division, and her name was absent from public title discussions prio…

When the UFC decided to book Weili Zhang as Jessica Andade’s first UFC title defense, there were more than a few eyebrows raised. After all, Zhang is only ranked #6 in the strawweight division, and her name was absent from public title discussions prior to the fight being made. But when Andrade learned about the […]

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Michael Bisping Thinks Weili Zhang Can Upset Jessica Andrade

Many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans were shocked to hear that Weili Zhang will receive the first crack at newly-crowned UFC women’s strawweight champion Jessica Andrade. Zhang will take on Andrade from her home country of China on August 31. The 29-year-old prospect comes off a unanimous decision win over Tecia Torres, her first victory […]

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Many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans were shocked to hear that Weili Zhang will receive the first crack at newly-crowned UFC women’s strawweight champion Jessica Andrade.

Zhang will take on Andrade from her home country of China on August 31. The 29-year-old prospect comes off a unanimous decision win over Tecia Torres, her first victory under the UFC banner over anyone of note. Speaking on the “Believe You Me” podcast, former UFC middleweight champion and future UFC Hall Of Famer Michael Bisping offered his thoughts on Zhang’s matchup with Andrade.

Bisping saw Zhang’s performance over Torres and was impressed. Although it may be a little early for a title shot, Bisping thinks Zhang has the skills to compete at the championship level (via BJPenn.com):

“Weili is 19-1, nine by knockout, seven submissions so 16 of those 19 wins are by stoppage. This woman is a stopper,” Bisping said. “She stops fights, she wins fight, knockouts, submissions. And I get it’s rare in those weight classes to be a finisher. But she does that and she’s also very good.

“As you just said, I saw the fight against Tecia Torres. I watched it, I was like ‘wow this girl is sensational. She’s amazing.’ Now she’s on a three-fight win streak [under the UFC banner]. Is that a little early for a UFC title shot? Maybe, but it’s not unheard of. It’s certainly not unheard of and of course, I’d say she has the skills to be in there.”

“The Count” then explained why he thinks Zhang might just upset Andrade when they go head-to-head:

“Weili may beat her. She’s a fantastic striker, she’s got good footwork, she’s very very capable. And she’s 3-0 in the UFC with a massive record.”

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Michael Bisping Believes Weili Zhang Could Upset Jessica Andrade

Jessica Andrade is set for her first title defense in enemy territory against Weili Zhang. There, the Brazilian will take on the rising star in her home country of China on August 31. Although Andrade is the champion and the favorite, Michael Bisping b…

Jessica Andrade is set for her first title defense in enemy territory against Weili Zhang. There, the Brazilian will take on the rising star in her home country of China on August 31. Although Andrade is the champion and the favorite, Michael Bisping believes Zhang is a tough opponent for the champ. “Weili is 19-1, […]

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Dana White Explains Why Weili Zhang Received Title Shot Against Jessica Andrade

Earlier this week, the UFC held a press conference in China to announce the Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang title fight. Many find it surprising that Zhang was granted the title opportunity, as she’s only the No. 6-ranked strawweight in the UFC. UFC President Dana White’s explanation was simple, Zhang was the only fighter available […]

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Earlier this week, the UFC held a press conference in China to announce the Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang title fight.

Many find it surprising that Zhang was granted the title opportunity, as she’s only the No. 6-ranked strawweight in the UFC. UFC President Dana White’s explanation was simple, Zhang was the only fighter available (via MMA Fighting):

“When this fight was made, this is the fight people actually want to see,” White said. “[Weili Zhang] is on a 19-fight win streak, [Jessica Andrade] just won impressively for the championship. If you look at the way this went down, Rose [Namajunas], we offered the fight to Rose, the rematch, Rose wasn’t ready she couldn’t take the fight. Tatiana [Suarez] would have been next in line.

“Tatiana hurt her neck training for the last fight, she’s out. Nina [Ansaroff], she’s ranked No. 3, she just lost. Then you’ve got Joanna [Jedrzejczyk], Joanna is taking time off right now, she’s not going to fight until the fall. Then you’ve got Claudia [Gadelha], who’s ranked No. 5. Claudia Gadelha has a fight coming up right now with Randa Markos.”

The whole situation worked out perfectly. Zhang was available just as the UFC was preparing to burst into China with a brand new Performance Institute. It wasn’t planned, it was simply a matter of right place and right time:

“No. 6 [is Weili Zhang], she’s the next in line,” White said. “Does it fall into place with the opening of the [Performance Institute] and all the things that are going on, yep it does but it was fate. Right fight, right place, right time, this was the fight to make.”

White added that the Las Vegas-based promotion has had trouble finding Zhang willing opponents. When Andrade welcomed a title defense against the Chinese prospect in front of her native crowd, the UFC boss was stunned:

“Nobody wants to fight her,” White said. “So we offer all these people the fight with her, she keeps saying ‘when do I get to fight?’ and nobody wants to fight her. So I just told you how the whole thing plays out.

“We call [Andrade], she says ‘I’ll absolutely fight her in China’. I got goosebumps telling you that story, that’s how bad ass this fight is. Both of these women, they’re amazing.”

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