Tag: Zhang Weili

The Countdown To UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka Has Officially Begun

Fight week for UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka is upon us, and the countdown has officially begun. The UFC has released their official UFC 275 Countdown video, which features the tripleheader that will be on display this Saturday, June 11, 2022. The main event will feature the colorful Ji?í Procházka challenge Glover Teixeira for the…

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Fight week for UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka is upon us, and the countdown has officially begun.

The UFC has released their official UFC 275 Countdown video, which features the tripleheader that will be on display this Saturday, June 11, 2022.

The main event will feature the colorful Ji?í Procházka challenge Glover Teixeira for the light heavyweight championship. After winning UFC gold at 42 years old, Teixeira could have just as easily ridden off into the sunset. Instead, he has circled back for arguably the most dangerous fight he could have right now when he takes on the one-man finish factory that is Ji?í Procházka.

The co-main event will see UFC flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko defend her title against the 19-1 Taila Santos. Shevchenko has been levels above everyone put in front of her, but none of her opponents has boasted the winning percentage that Santos does. You won’t want to miss this fresh face and latest assignment for the “Bullet” assassin.

And who can overlook the feature strawweight rematch between former champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili?? The official Countdown video ensures that the first fight is not forgotten and that fans can’t help but remember to tune in for the encore.

Here is what you can expect to see from the UFC 275 Countdown video.

“To all the young dreamers out there, and also the old folks, because I’m 42 and I’m still doing it, dreams are possible” – Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira
Glover Teixeira

In the Countdown video, we ride shotgun through Teixeira’s odyssey that culminated in championship gold. The tour also includes a trip with the champion to Brazil, where he shared his joy with his compatriots and also served as a beacon of inspiration.

“After some time in Japan, I realize it’s my destiny to be the champ in the league of the best.” – Ji?í Procházka

Ji Proch zka

In the Countdown video, we get an intimate glimpse into the warrior mentality of Ji?í Procházka. We also are reminded of the controlled frenzy he carries with him into every fight, one finish after another around the globe.

“I really want to show that there is no limits for no one.” – Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The Countdown video portrays the flyweight queen as the renaissance woman she is. We also get a glimpse into Shevchenko’s home life, including hearing from the matriarch of the Shevchenko family herself, mother of Valentina and Antonina, Elena Shevchenko.

“Valentina, she’s not unbeatable. I’ve seen some of her flaws on the ground, in her striking, too. She’s the champion, right? Until we fight.” – Taila Santos

Confirmed: Valentina Shevchenko set to defend her UFC women's flyweight championship against Taila Santos at UFC 275 » FirstSportz
Taila Santos

The Countdown video introduces those who may be familiar with Saturday’s flyweight title challenger Taila Santos, and viewers come away with a better understanding of why she is as confident as she appears to be ahead of UFC 275.

“Sometimes defeat teaches you more than victory. Sometimes we lose a fight because of details. We’ve tried more techniques this time. I call it ‘Weili 3.0.’” – Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili

The Countdown video does the initial classic between Zhang and J?drzejczyk justice, and we also peek into the mentality and preparations of both fierce competitors ahead of the rematch. For Zhang, she is looking to learn from her recent defeats to Rose Namajunas by sharpening up her boxing skills, speed, and even her power.

“We are not the same after our fight. You made me better. I’m coming for the Knockout of the Year this time.” – Joanna J?drzejczyk

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

One word best captures how the Countdown video depicts Joanna J?drzejczyk: rejuvenated. J?drzejczyk has been traveling the globe and keeping herself busy yet relaxed with various interests. All the while, she hasn’t lost her will to compete or avenge her initial loss to Weili.

UFC 275 comes to you from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. You can view the full lineup for the card below followed by the UFC’s official Countdown video. And be sure to stick with MMA News this fight week for all the latest updates regarding UFC 275!

(card and bout order subject to change)

UFC 275 Main Card (PPV, 10:00 PM ET)

Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Glover Teixeira (c) vs. Ji?í Procházka
Women’s Flyweight Championship Bout: Valentina Shevchenko (c)vs. Taila Santos
Women’s Strawweight: Zhang Weili vs. Joanna J?drzejczyk
Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Ramazan Emeev
Flyweight: Rogério Bontorin vs. Manel Kape

Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+, 8:00 PM ET)

Featherweight Seung Woo Choi vs. Joshua Culibao
Middleweight Jacob Malkoun vs. Brendan Allen
Lightweight: Steve Garcia vs. Hayisaer Maheshate
Bantamweight: Kang Kyung-ho vs. Danaa Batgerel

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 6:30 PM ET)

Welterweight Jake Matthews vs. André Fialho
Women’s Strawweight: Liang Na vs. Silvana Gómez Juárez
Women’s Bantamweight: Ramona Pascual vs. Joselyne Edwards

Finally, you can check out the official UFC 275 Countdown video below!

Continue Reading The Countdown To UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Procházka Has Officially Begun at MMA News.

Zhang Weili Reacts To Rose Namajunas Offering Joanna J?drzejczyk Help

Zhang Weili has reacted to Rose Namajunas offering Joanna J?drzejczyk help training ahead of their fight. Namajunas suggested potentially assisting J?drzejczyk ahead of her rematch with Zhang during a recent interview on The MMA Hour. “I didn’t totally make that decision in my mind yet but I was just thinking about it,” Namajunas said. “Nothing…

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Zhang Weili has reacted to Rose Namajunas offering Joanna J?drzejczyk help training ahead of their fight.

Namajunas suggested potentially assisting J?drzejczyk ahead of her rematch with Zhang during a recent interview on The MMA Hour.

“I didn’t totally make that decision in my mind yet but I was just thinking about it,” Namajunas said. “Nothing personal against Weili or anything but you know Henry Cejudo was kind of talking some crap before our rematch. I’m just kidding.”

Zhang recently caught wind of these comments, reacting to them during a recent interview. It’s safe to say the former Chinese champion is not a fan.

“Well, if I’m Rose, I would not do something like this because Joanna has her own team. ATT is a very professional, elite team. They produced many champions,” Zhang said.

“And you go interfere at this point that’s a little bit… I don’t know what she’s trying to do. Does she think Joanna’s team is not good enough or what?

“I don’t know. I definitely would not do that in her shoes.”

Zhang and Namajunas are certainly no strangers to one another. Namajunas took the title off Zhang back in April of 2021 with a nasty first-round head kick. Their rematch later that year ended up being a split decision victory for Namajunas yet again.

Now, fresh off the first two losses of her UFC career, Zhang is looking to bounce back for a big win against J?drzejczyk in their rematch at UFC 275 in Singapore on June 11.

The pair initially fought in what was arguably the greatest women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) fights of all time. Zhang edged out J?drzejczyk via split decision at UFC 248, retaining her then-women’s strawweight title.

Now, the pair hope to replicate the magic they made two years ago, in a bout that could very well determine the next challenger for the 115-pound throne.

What do you think about Namajunas offering to help J?drzejczyk train ahead of her rematch with Zhang Weili? Sound off in the comments!

Quotes via MiddleEasy

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J?drzejczyk: UFC’s SW Division Shows Anything’s Possible In MMA

Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk thinks the recent fights in the division show that a path back to the title is still possible for her. J?drzejczyk is set to make her Octagon return in a rematch against Zhang Weili at UFC 275. This marks her first fight in the UFC since her first fight…

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Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk thinks the recent fights in the division show that a path back to the title is still possible for her.

J?drzejczyk is set to make her Octagon return in a rematch against Zhang Weili at UFC 275. This marks her first fight in the UFC since her first fight with Weili at UFC 248 in early 2020.

While J?drzejczyk has had a long layoff from competition, she’s been keeping a close eye on how things have played out in the strawweight division. She’s also recently teased the various improvements she’s made during her two-year hiatus.

During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, J?drzejczyk pointed to the recent Rose Namajunas/Carla Esparza UFC 274 rematch as an example of how wild the 115lb division is.

“This fight, the fight between Rose and Carla, showed how unpredictable this sport and crazy this sport is,” J?drzejczyk said. “I beat Carla, then Carla beat Rose, I beat Carla and then Andrade beats Rose… how crazy it is? So anything and everything is possible, and yeah it’s happening. I’m so pumped, I’m so motivated… I’ve been training so hard… I went home to Poland only for eight days, I’ve been working so hard and preparing for this moment.

“This is what drives me into [fighting], but I’m supposed to cut some of the training sessions because I’ve been training 13 times a week every day since I got here,” Jedrzejczyk continued. “But after [the Rose/Carla fight], I don’t wanna stop. I can’t stop, I won’t stop, I want to do more. Because everything is [in my head, and in my heart] and how hard we believe in our dreams and in ourselves.”

Another development in the division is the return of Andrade, who recently defeated rising contender Amanda Lemos following a stint at flyweight. Andrade, along with J?drzejczyk and Weili, remains a massive part of the strawweight title picture.

Esparza defeated Namajunas in the UFC 274 co-headliner to regain the strawweight throne. She lost her title to J?drzejczyk at UFC 185 after earning the then-vacant title against Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.

J?drzejczyk still has ambitions of regaining the strawweight title and will look to remind the rest of the division of her greatness in her return at UFC 275.

What is your reaction to Joanna J?drzejczyk’s comments? Do you think she can become the UFC strawweight champion once again?

Continue Reading J?drzejczyk: UFC’s SW Division Shows Anything’s Possible In MMA at MMA News.

J?drzejczyk: Zhang Initially Turned Down UFC 275 Rematch

Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk has claimed that upcoming opponent Zhang Weili turned down their rematch just one month ago. At UFC 275, set for Singapore on June 11, J?drzejczyk will return to action for the first time since March 2020. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc across the globe. But…

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Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk has claimed that upcoming opponent Zhang Weili turned down their rematch just one month ago.

At UFC 275, set for Singapore on June 11, J?drzejczyk will return to action for the first time since March 2020. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc across the globe. But despite all the changes and variables across the past two years, the Polish great has returned to camp with the same woman in mind: Zhang.

After their five-round war at UFC 248, which saw both women throw down to put on one of the greatest fights of all time, fans were left wanting more. Now, with “Magnum” walking around lighter in the absence of the 115-pound gold, the promotion has decided that it’s time to run it back.

But as it turns out, this rematch very nearly didn’t come together due to some hesitancy on one side…

J?drzejczyk Ponders If Zhang Is Preventing 5-Round Fight After Initial Rejection

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, J?drzejczyk discussed her upcoming return, which, to the surprise of many, is set for three rounds rather than five.

As well as many fans and pundits voicing their displeasure at being denied an extra 10 minutes, the 34-year-old also revealed her desire to prepare for a 25-minute contest.

With her willingness, as well as some positive updates from the UFC and Dana White, J?drzejczyk suggested that the hold-up might be down to reluctance on the side of Zhang.

That seemingly wouldn’t be a big surprise for J?drzejczyk, who claimed that “Magnum” actually turned down the rematch a month ago.

“It might be (that Zhang doesn’t want five rounds). I don’t know, it might be… I can fight, I want to fight five rounds. Let’s see,” said J?drzejczyk. “Let’s check the UFC’s position and Weili Zhang’s. Because, a month ago, she turned it down, the fight. She didn’t want to fight, and now she’s fighting. So, let’s see. I don’t know if she wants to go five rounds with me.”

With a month to go until fight night in Singapore, it seems there’s still a chance for a five-round bout to come together. However, should J?drzejczyk’s comments be accurate, it would appear Zhang already had to be convinced to accept the fight in the first place.

Either way, three rounds or five, fans will be hoping that the fight lives up to expectations, which will certainly be high given the pair’s 2020 barnburner.

Who do you think will have their hand raised in this rematch, Joanna J?drzejczyk or Zhang Weili?

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Joanna Jedrzejczyk Expects Back-And-Forth War With Zhang Weili Ahead Of UFC 275 Rematch

Joanna JedrzejczykFormer UFC strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk is set to snap a two-year hiatus from the Octagon in June as she featured in a high-profile UFC 275 main card rematch with fellow former champion, Zhang Weili – and fully expects another instant classic against the Hebei striker. Out of action since March of 2020, Jedrzejczyk, the […]

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Former UFC strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk is set to snap a two-year hiatus from the Octagon in June as she featured in a high-profile UFC 275 main card rematch with fellow former champion, Zhang Weili – and fully expects another instant classic against the Hebei striker.

Out of action since March of 2020, Jedrzejczyk, the second strawweight champion in the history of the UFC, co-headlined UFC 248 against then-champion, Weili – suffering a close, split decision loss in the consensus 2020 Fight of the Year – and to many, the greatest strawweight fight in the history of the division. 

Joanna Jedrzejczyk clinched the strawweight throne with a March 2015 win over Carla Esparza

Dropping to 16-4 as a professional, Jedrzejczyk, who recently penned a new, multi-fight deal with the organization, was also removed from the official strawweight rankings due to inactivity, however, attempts to earn another title challenge in a potential title-eliminator against Weili in a high-stakes Singapore re-run.

Returning to home base, American Top Team at the turn of this year, Jedrzejczyk explained how she expects Weili to show up in “strong” form and fettle on June 11.

“I know Zhang Weili is working on so many different things, and she’s going to show up very strong in our fight,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk told Fanatics View reporter, James Lynch, during a recent interview ahead of UFC 275. 

Taking the longest extended break of his decorated professional career, Muay Thai ace, Jedrzejczyk explained how she benefited to no end with her lengthy hiatus.

“My wrestling, my defense is so good because I used to face grapplers and I’m a striker,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk explained. “So my takedown defense and defensive wrestling was always good, but I was focused more on offensive wrestling. My ground game got better and of course, I’m back to the roots: kicking more, feinting, using my striking more. Somehow I stopped kicking because of the grapplers I was facing, it’s easy to catch the leg and go down.”

“I’m back,” Joanna Jedrzejczyk said. “I just can’t wait. I needed this break, for my body.” (Transcribed by South China Morning Post)

In her most recent victory, Jedrzejczyk managed to land a vintage unanimous decision victory against former Invicta FC atomweight best, Michelle Waterson in the main event of UFC Fight Night Tampa in October 2019 in a strawweight division return. 

J?drzejczyk Lobbies For Five-Round Fight Against Zhang At UFC 275

Former strawweight queen Joanna J?drzejczyk says she’s more than willing to give fight fans a five-round rematch against Zhang Weili. There is a huge rematch on the docket for UFC 275. The former champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili will be recreating their 2020 Fight of the Year-winning bout. However, despite the yearning of the…

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Former strawweight queen Joanna J?drzejczyk says she’s more than willing to give fight fans a five-round rematch against Zhang Weili.

There is a huge rematch on the docket for UFC 275. The former champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili will be recreating their 2020 Fight of the Year-winning bout. However, despite the yearning of the fans for this fight to be five rounds, according to veteran MMA reporter Damon Martin, the fans will not get their wish.

The above report comes weeks after Dana White teased that he’d be willing to look into making this highly anticipated rematch a five-round fight.

Tuesday, J?drzejczyk herself expressed a willingness to go another five rounds with Zhang.

J?drzejczyk has not fought since that last bout with Weili. During that fight, Weili was the unanimous decision winner and, in turn, continued her championship reign. She later lost the belt to Rose Namajunas, who is in possession of the strap today.

J?drzejczyk had previously mentioned that she would like for her return to be for a title shot, but this bout with Weili could be a possible title-contention bout.

Although J?drzejczyk lost the first meeting, she is coming into this rematch as a betting favorite. Weili has now lost two in a row, both against Namajunas, while J?drzejczyk has lost four of her last six including a shot at the flyweight belt. Despite the slump, Weili is still sitting in the number-one-contender spot of the official rankings, with J?drzejczyk being removed from the list recently due to inactivity.

The UFC 275 fight card will be headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between champion Glover Teixeira and Ji?í Procházka. The co-main will be a flyweight title bout between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Taila Santo.

Do you wish Joanna J?drzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili 2 would be a five-round fight?

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