Tag: Zhang Weili

Carla Esparza Reminds Zhang Weili Who Has All The Leverage

UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza has reminded top contender Zhang Weili who calls the shots in the division. This past weekend, Weili rebounded from back-to-back defeats at the hands of Rose Namajunas in style. In a rematch with Joanna J?drzejczyk at UFC 275, “Magnum” looked back to her best, both on the ground in…

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UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza has reminded top contender Zhang Weili who calls the shots in the division.

This past weekend, Weili rebounded from back-to-back defeats at the hands of Rose Namajunas in style. In a rematch with Joanna J?drzejczyk at UFC 275, “Magnum” looked back to her best, both on the ground in the first round and with her striking in the second, the frame in which the fight would come to an end.

While the pair’s first clash was memorable for its back-and-forth nature across 25 minutes, their second dance will be remembered for delivering a Knockout of the Year contender courtesy of a spinning back fist from Weili.

With Dana White’s pre-fight comments, both women entered the Singapore-held event known that a win would secure them a shot at gold. And having come out on top, Weili called for her opportunity, and even gave a time and a place.

“So I want to fight with Carla at Abu Dhabi (because) I know there’s a (card there on October 22),” Zhang said during the UFC 275 post-fight press conference via a translator. “I think Carla is a special fighter, too, so I think that’s gonna be a really good fight, for me and for her. Not China, not US, we’re gonna fight at a third country so that it can be fair for both of us.”

The Chinese star has now received a response, but it’s perhaps not one that she’d have hoped for.

Speaking to the New York Post following this past weekend’s blockbuster pay-per-view, Esparza reacted to the emergence of the first challenger to her second reign and Weili’s Abu Dhabi proposal. The strawweight queen made it clear that she won’t be dictated by the #2-ranked contender and her requests.

“I definitely don’t feel like I’m in a position where I should rush just because Weili wants a certain date,” said Esparza. “I’m not trying to go on her timeline. I’m the champion, and I feel she needs to go on my timeline.”

Esparza regained her place on the 115-pound throne, which she first held back in 2014, with a second career victory over Namajunas last month. “Cookie Monster” earned the nod on the scorecards after a lackluster affair that saw both women criticized post-fight.

Having suggested that “Thug Rose” fought with the complete wrong attitude at UFC 274, it stands to reason that Weili won’t let her championship fight with Esparza go in the same direction.

And with Esparza evidently in no rush to defend the belt, “Magnum” will certainly have plenty of time to prepare for her attempt to become the third woman to regain a piece of UFC gold.

Do you think Zhang Weili will dethrone Carla Esparza when they share the Octagon?

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Kowalkiewicz Pens Touching Message Following J?drzejczyk’s Retirement

UFC strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz shared a heartfelt post on social media following Joanna J?drzejczyk’s retirement announcement. Kowalkiewicz and J?drzejczyk were once bitter rivals in the strawweight division as the two Polish combatants squared off for the title at UFC 205. J?drzejczyk successfully defended her belt against Kowalkiewicz via a unanimous decision. While J?drzejczyk and Kowalkiewicz…

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UFC strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz shared a heartfelt post on social media following Joanna J?drzejczyk’s retirement announcement.

Kowalkiewicz and J?drzejczyk were once bitter rivals in the strawweight division as the two Polish combatants squared off for the title at UFC 205. J?drzejczyk successfully defended her belt against Kowalkiewicz via a unanimous decision.

While J?drzejczyk and Kowalkiewicz had their fair share of bad blood ahead of their past UFC title fight, they’ve buried the hatchet in recent years. J?drzejczyk also helped train Kowalkiewicz for her last fight down at American Top Team in Florida.

J?drzejczyk’s UFC career came to a close this past weekend following a knockout loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275. She announced her retirement in her post-fight interview and seems content with moving forward in life away from the Octagon.

In a recent Instagram post, Kowalkiewicz congratulated her fellow countrywoman on her success.

“I was number 2 practically for my entire sports career. It doesn’t bother me, on the contrary, I am proud of it, because you were and for me you will always be number 1,” Kowalkiewicz wrote of her former foe J?drzejczyk. “You are a legend. You wrote a beautiful and inspiring story. You are not only a great athlete who accomplished the impossible, but also a wonderful person. When our relationship was not the best, I needed help … I called you and although you did not have to help me, I could count on you.

“You are great not only in the octagon, but also in life. Now use it to the fullest. I wish you the best with all my heart.”

Despite J?drzejczyk’s fighting tenure concluding, she’s hinted at sticking around the sport for the foreseeable future. Following UFC 275, she hinted at pursuing a career in management and helping fighters move up in the sport’s hierarchy.

As for Kowalkiewicz, she recently snapped a five-fight losing skid with a win over Felice Herrig earlier this month. She’s picked up wins over the likes of Rose Namajunas, Randa Markos, and Jodie Esquibel during her career.

J?drzejczyk leaves the UFC as one of the greatest fighters in the promotion’s history, and at one point was thought of as one of the most dominant forces in the sport.

What are your thoughts on Karolina Kowalkiewicz’s message following Joanna J?drzejczyk’s retirement?

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J?drzejczyk Gives Very Confident Prediction For Esparza Vs. Zhang

Joanna J?drzejczyk has picked Weili Zhang to get it done against Carla Esparza if the duo are to meet in a championship bout. In a rematch of their highly memorable 2020 fight, J?drzejczyk lost to Zhang via KO at UFC 275 last night. The 34-year-old was overmatched by the Chinese fighter from the outset. Zhang…

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Joanna J?drzejczyk has picked Weili Zhang to get it done against Carla Esparza if the duo are to meet in a championship bout.

In a rematch of their highly memorable 2020 fight, J?drzejczyk lost to Zhang via KO at UFC 275 last night. The 34-year-old was overmatched by the Chinese fighter from the outset. Zhang took J?drzejczyk down multiple times in round one, landing a series of brutal elbows from on top. Then in the second round, Zhang unleashed a spinning backfist to knock Joanna out cold.

Having lost five of her last seven fights, J?drzejczyk took off her gloves and announced her retirement from MMA in her post-fight Octagon interview. The Pole ends her UFC run with a 10-5 record, having fought in the promotion since 2014.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk Zhang
PHOTO: GETTY

J?drzejczyk Backs Weili Zhang To Defeat Carla Esparza

Having fought Zhang on two occasions and felt the raw power and athleticism of the 32-year-old, J?drzejczyk knows a thing or two about how good Zhang is.

When asked at the UFC 275 post-fight press conference who would get their hand raised in a potential fight between Zhang and strawweight champ Carla Esparza, Joanna answered without hesitation.

“First round for Weili Zhang,” said J?drzejczyk. “She’s so strong. Yeah, first round.”

Weili Zhang Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Once a rival of Zhang, now seemingly an admirer, J?drzejczyk paid tribute to the Chinese fighter’s power and striking.

“She really surprised me with her strength (on the) ground,” said Joanna. “Because we know she’s a striker, but she was very strong on the ground. Very beautiful work. Very beautiful work.”

J?drzejczyk also has firsthand knowledge of what Esparza brings to the table, having defeated her in 2015 to win the title. That was, however, long before Esparza’s current six-fight win streak. But Joanna still feels Zhang will get it done if the duo are to meet soon.

“So it’s going to be an interesting fight, but I truly believe that Weili’s going to be becoming the champ,” said J?drzejczyk.

Do you think Joanna J?drzejczyk is right to pick Weili Zhang over Carla Esparza?

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J?drzejczyk Gives Very Confident Prediction For Esparza Vs. Zhang

Joanna J?drzejczyk has picked Weili Zhang to get it done against Carla Esparza if the duo are to meet in a championship bout. In a rematch of their highly memorable 2020 fight, J?drzejczyk lost to Zhang via KO at UFC 275 last night. The 34-year-old was overmatched by the Chinese fighter from the outset. Zhang…

Continue Reading J?drzejczyk Gives Very Confident Prediction For Esparza Vs. Zhang at MMA News.

Joanna J?drzejczyk has picked Weili Zhang to get it done against Carla Esparza if the duo are to meet in a championship bout.

In a rematch of their highly memorable 2020 fight, J?drzejczyk lost to Zhang via KO at UFC 275 last night. The 34-year-old was overmatched by the Chinese fighter from the outset. Zhang took J?drzejczyk down multiple times in round one, landing a series of brutal elbows from on top. Then in the second round, Zhang unleashed a spinning backfist to knock Joanna out cold.

Having lost five of her last seven fights, J?drzejczyk took off her gloves and announced her retirement from MMA in her post-fight Octagon interview. The Pole ends her UFC run with a 10-5 record, having fought in the promotion since 2014.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk Zhang
PHOTO: GETTY

J?drzejczyk Backs Weili Zhang To Defeat Carla Esparza

Having fought Zhang on two occasions and felt the raw power and athleticism of the 32-year-old, J?drzejczyk knows a thing or two about how good Zhang is.

When asked at the UFC 275 post-fight press conference who would get their hand raised in a potential fight between Zhang and strawweight champ Carla Esparza, Joanna answered without hesitation.

“First round for Weili Zhang,” said J?drzejczyk. “She’s so strong. Yeah, first round.”

Weili Zhang Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Once a rival of Zhang, now seemingly an admirer, J?drzejczyk paid tribute to the Chinese fighter’s power and striking.

“She really surprised me with her strength (on the) ground,” said Joanna. “Because we know she’s a striker, but she was very strong on the ground. Very beautiful work. Very beautiful work.”

J?drzejczyk also has firsthand knowledge of what Esparza brings to the table, having defeated her in 2015 to win the title. That was, however, long before Esparza’s current six-fight win streak. But Joanna still feels Zhang will get it done if the duo are to meet soon.

“So it’s going to be an interesting fight, but I truly believe that Weili’s going to be becoming the champ,” said J?drzejczyk.

Do you think Joanna J?drzejczyk is right to pick Weili Zhang over Carla Esparza?

Continue Reading J?drzejczyk Gives Very Confident Prediction For Esparza Vs. Zhang at MMA News.

Zhang Insists On Neutral Site For Esparza Fight To Keep Things ‘Fair’

It would seem that Zhang Weili is in no big hurry to fight in the United States again. Zhang Weili is without question one of the best strawweights walking planet Earth. She did nothing but strengthen that argument by retiring the legendary Joanna J?drzejczyk with an incredible backfist KO at UFC 275. Zhang has only lost…

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It would seem that Zhang Weili is in no big hurry to fight in the United States again.

Zhang Weili is without question one of the best strawweights walking planet Earth. She did nothing but strengthen that argument by retiring the legendary Joanna J?drzejczyk with an incredible backfist KO at UFC 275.

Zhang has only lost two times in the UFC and since her professional debut in 2013. Both losses came against Rose Namajunas, and both took place in the United States.

While the latter factoid may seem inconsequential, Zhang apparently finds it quite significant.

After losing the strawweight championship to Namajunas at UFC 261, she openly admitted that the boos from the Jacksonville crowd impacted her performance, so much so that she even included a crowd boo simulation into her training for the rematch.

Although Zhang would lose a very close split decision to Namajunas, she did consider the boo prep to be a success.

With UFC 275 taking place in Singapore and Zhang returning to the win column, Zhang apparently wants to stay off of US soil for her next expected fight against champion Carla Esparza.

“So I want to fight with Carla at Abu Dhabi (because) I know there’s a (card there on October 22),” Zhang said during the UFC 275 post-fight press conference via a translator. “I think Carla is a special fighter, too, so I think that’s gonna be a really good fight, for me and for her. Not China, not US, we’re gonna fight at a third country so that it can be fair for both of us.”

It is unclear if Zhang will get her wish, especially seeing as how, historically, it is the champion who has more leverage in determining when and where a fight takes place.

Nevertheless, what’s most important for Zhang is that she gets the opportunity to reclaim the strawweight title, something UFC President Dana White has already assured would happen prior to UFC 275. And it’s safe to say that Zhang’s viral KO of the former strawweight queen did nothing to minimize her title-shot odds.

Do you think it will make a difference where Zhang vs. Esparza takes place?

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Joanna J?drzejczyk Sums Up Her Career In One Word

UFC 275 included some tremendous fights and individual performances, but it also marked the final appearance for one of the sport’s most popular fighters. Following her second-round knockout loss to rival Zhang Weili, Joanna J?drzejczyk removed her gloves and announced that she was retiring from the sport. Speaking at the event’s post-fight press conference, the…

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UFC 275 included some tremendous fights and individual performances, but it also marked the final appearance for one of the sport’s most popular fighters.

Following her second-round knockout loss to rival Zhang Weili, Joanna J?drzejczyk removed her gloves and announced that she was retiring from the sport.

Speaking at the event’s post-fight press conference, the former strawweight queen was asked to sum up her career in one word. J?drzejczyk considered the question for a moment before answering.

“Legacy. When you read about legacy, it means everything, you know? That you’ve done big things. So it’s legacy. And I always wanted to be remembered as one of the greatest, and I will. I’m just the girl from the hood, you know? JJ from the hood. And I did big things. Quite big. I have to sit and think about what I have approached.”

After entering the UFC in 2014 with an undefeated record of 6-0, it only took two wins before J?drzejczyk found herself as the first challenger for inaugural strawwweight champion Carla Esparza. The Polish striker overwhelmed Esparza at UFC 185 and captured the strawweight title via second-round stoppage.

J?drzejczyk claimed the UFC strawweight title from Carla Esparza in 2015. (Associated Press)

J?drzejczyk successfully defended the belt 5 times before losing to Rose Namajunas at UFC 217. She came up short again in an immediate rematch with Namajunas, and in 2018 she lost to Valentina Shevchenko in a fight for the promotion’s vacant flyweight title.

The 34-year-old had an opportunity to regain her strawweight title in 2020 against Zhang, and the two ended up putting on what is widely considered to be one of the greatest fights in the history of the sport. Zhang retained her title via split-decision, though some argued that J?drzejczyk deserved the nod.

This rematch with Zhang was J?drzejczyk’s first fight since the two battled for the title in 2020. Although she retires on two-straight losses, J?drzejczyk went undefeated through her first 14 fights and was instrumental in establishing the popularity of the UFC’s women’s divisions.

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