Tag: Zhang Weili

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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Zhang Opens As Slight Favorite For J?drzejczyk Rematch At UFC 275

Zhang Weili has opened as a narrow favorite for her upcoming rematch with fellow former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk. It’s safe to say that no fight could have sent fans out of an arena for the final time pre-COVID-19 more satisfied than the barnburner between Zhang and J?drzejczyk did. In the co-main event…

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Zhang Weili has opened as a narrow favorite for her upcoming rematch with fellow former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna J?drzejczyk.

It’s safe to say that no fight could have sent fans out of an arena for the final time pre-COVID-19 more satisfied than the barnburner between Zhang and J?drzejczyk did. In the co-main event of UFC 248, a pay-per-view held in March 2020, fans were treated to a Fight of the Year bout that arguably surpassed any title fight before it, and maybe even any fight, period.

Heading into the contest, then-champ Zhang was riding a title crowning against Jéssica Andrade and a 20-fight win streak. J?drzejczyk, meanwhile, was returning for the first time since her 2019 victory over Michelle Waterson.

Across five rounds, both women left everything in the Octagon. From the vicious exchanges to the brutal hematoma sustained by the Pole, the fight wasn’t short on memorable moments. In an extremely tight affair, it was “Magnum” who emerged victorious via split decision.

If you’d been left wanting more in March 2020 (let’s face it, who wasn’t?), then you’ve got your wish. The pair are set to run it back at UFC 275 on June 11. The pay-per-view is set to mark the promotion’s return to “The Garden City,” Singapore.

After the absolute war fans were treated to when the pair previously shared the Octagon, it’s perhaps no surprise that the opening odds aren’t as wide as prior to their 2020 bout.

Zhang/J?drzejczyk 2 Odds Tighter Than Pre-UFC 248

Ahead of UFC 248, Zhang, who’d looked unstoppable in the UFC since arriving in 2018, was set as a -235 betting favorite. J?drzejczyk, who was 2-3 in her previous three outings, entered the clash as a +195 underdog.

Having witnessed her performance against the Chinese star in 2020, as well as Zhang’s two defeats to Rose Namajunas since, J?drzejczyk has opened as a narrower underdog this time around.

Per BetOnline.ag, while the #1-ranked strawweight is favored at -150, the returning former champ is listed as a +130 underdog.

While it’ll certainly be hard for the pair of elite 115lbers to replicate their insane war this time around, the oddsmakers are certainly ready for a close affair after the way in which the UFC 248 co-main event went down.

As well as this blockbuster rematch, UFC 275 will feature two title fights at the top of the card, along with an intriguing clash of middleweight contenders.

Setting the stage for the main event will be a women’s flyweight championship fight between dominant 125-pound queen Valentina Shevchenko and Taila Santos. Soon after, veteran titleholder Glover Teixeira will look to halt the surge of the wild and unpredictable Ji?í Procházka in the event’s headliner.

Also joining Zhang vs. J?drzejczyk on the stacked main card will be a bout between former 185-pound champ Robert Whittaker and top-five contender Marvin Vettori.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 248, Zhang Weili or Joanna J?drzejczyk?

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White Touts Zhang Weili Rematch For Joanna J?drzejczyk’s UFC Return

UFC President Dana White likes the idea of a rubber match between former UFC strawweight champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili. J?drzejczyk has been away from the Octagon for nearly two years since her first matchup with Weili at UFC 248. It was arguably the greatest fight in women’s MMA history as Weili earned a…

Continue Reading White Touts Zhang Weili Rematch For Joanna J?drzejczyk’s UFC Return at MMA News.

UFC President Dana White likes the idea of a rubber match between former UFC strawweight champions Joanna J?drzejczyk and Zhang Weili.

J?drzejczyk has been away from the Octagon for nearly two years since her first matchup with Weili at UFC 248. It was arguably the greatest fight in women’s MMA history as Weili earned a split-decision victory.

Joanna J drzejczyk Weili Zhang
Joanna J?drzejczyk and Weili Zhang

Despite the loss, many fans believed that J?drzejczyk did enough to earn the win on the scorecards. Many believed that a rematch would take place eventually and it sounds like it could come to fruition later this year.

J?drzejczyk held a guest fighter press conference at UFC 272. She hinted at her desire to fight Weili for her first fight back in the cage and attempt to settle the score between the former champions.

During his UFC 272 post-fight press conference, White was asked whether or not he liked the idea of booking the J?drzejczyk/Weili rematch.

“Yeah, that’s the fight that makes sense,” White said.

J?drzejczyk has previously touted the idea of a rematch with Weili and claimed that the UFC’s first-ever Chinese champion hasn’t been the same since their fight. Weili has lost back-to-back fights to Rose Namajunas and is looking to potentially earn another title shot down the line.

J?drzejczyk has also suffered two losses to Namajunas but remains intent on reclaiming the UFC strawweight throne. Before her close loss to Weili, she earned dominant wins over Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres.

Who wins in a Joanna J?drzejczyk /Zhang Weili rematch?

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Zhang Has No Regrets After 2nd Namajunas Loss, Makes Vow For Future

UFC women’s strawweight contender Zhang Weili says she has no regrets about her second defeat to Rose Namajunas at UFC 268, and has vowed to come back stronger.

Heading into 2021, Zhang held the 115-pound gold, was riding a 21-fight win streak, boa…

Zhang Weili, UFC 268: Namajunas vs. Zhang 2

UFC women’s strawweight contender Zhang Weili says she has no regrets about her second defeat to Rose Namajunas at UFC 268, and has vowed to come back stronger.

Heading into 2021, Zhang held the 115-pound gold, was riding a 21-fight win streak, boasted a perfect 5-0 UFC record, and already had a successful title defense over the great Joanna J?drzejczyk under her belt. But while 2020 saw her extend her reign in style in a Fight of the Year contender, last year was less successful for the Chinese star.

At UFC 261, Namajunas provided one of the most memorable moments in the promotion’s history, knocking Zhang out with a first-round head kick in front of the first sold-out crowd in over a year. In doing so, “Thug Rose” became the first woman in UFC history to regain a title.

Seven months later, Zhang had her chance for redemption. In the UFC 268 co-main event, she went five round with the champ inside Madison Square Garden. While many believed “Magnum” did enough to leave the Octagon with the belt back in her possession, Namajunas was awarded the nod on two scorecards.

Zhang: “I’m A New Me”

After her KO loss last April, Zhang was visibly unhappy at the stoppage and seemed reluctant to accept the result. She made a number of comments about the defeat in the following months, including a claim that Namajunas made disparaging comments about her in the build-up in order to turn the fans against the-then strawweight queen, as well as a suggestion that Chris Weidman’s leg break played a part in the result.

However, Zhang’s response to her November setback couldn’t have been more different, despite the incredibly tight nature of it. That positive attitude was clear in a recent interview with People Magazine in China. “Magnum” claimed the defeat has provided her with an opportunity to learn and grow, something she says has built a “new me.”

“Failure is not a bad thing for us. It’s a beginning for us to learn and become stronger. Now I start anew. I’m a new me. A new ‘Beijing Drifter’. I will keep grinding for my dream.”

Despite back-to-back losses, Zhang insists she has no regrets about her UFC 268 performance and is not at a low point in her career. Instead, “Magnum” believes she’s on an upwards surge, and is solely focused on accomplishing her goals when she returns to the Octagon this year.

“I don’t think I’m at a low point right now,” Zhang said. “I think I’m at the point of a final sprint, a point of sprinting upwards.

“There’s no need to regret the past or worry about the future. Just focus on accomplishing every single thing in the present. Eat well when it’s time to eat. Train hard when it’s time to train. Do your best at whatever it is you are doing and the future will not be too bad.” (h/t South China Morning Post)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYNUcz2pBP1/

While her next opponent is yet to be decided, Zhang is seemingly working hard to get back to her best for her next outing. In an exclusive interview with MMA News, Eddie Cha recently revealed Zhang will be returning to the Fight Ready gym in the next few weeks.

When she does begin training again with the likes of Cha and Henry Cejudo, we can expect a fight announcement to come relatively quickly, perhaps in the form of a rematch against J?drzejczyk.

Do you think Zhang Weili will bounce back to the title in the coming months and years?

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Zhang Weili Agrees With Judges’ Decision In Namajunas Rematch

Former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili agrees with the judges’ verdict at UFC 268, which saw Rose Namajunas retain her title by way of a split decision.

In 2021, Zhang has seen the 115-pound gold taken from her possession, her 21-fight…

Zhang Weili, UFC 268: Namajunas vs. Zhang

Former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili agrees with the judges’ verdict at UFC 268, which saw Rose Namajunas retain her title by way of a split decision.

In 2021, Zhang has seen the 115-pound gold taken from her possession, her 21-fight win streak snapped, and has fallen to consecutive losses for the first time in her career. Her kryptonite has been the only woman in UFC history to regain a belt, “Thug Rose.”

After a shocking first-round knockout at UFC 261 in April dethroned “Magnum” and ascended Namajunas back to the top of the strawweight mountain, the stage was set for a blockbuster rematch inside Madison Square Garden on November 6.

Across a competitive five rounds, both women had moments of success on the feet and periods of control on the ground. The first half of the contest went well for the challenger, but Namajunas came on strong in the championship rounds. After 25 minutes of action, the result went to the scorecards, where the champ saw two tallies of 49-46 and 48-47 fall in her favor.

Zhang Sees No Controversy In UFC 268 Result

After their first contest ended with a brutal head kick and a flurry of punches on the ground, Zhang strongly protested referee Keith Peterson’s decision to step in. While she may have seen some controversy in that result, “Magnum” knows there was none the second time around.

Discussing the rematch in an interview with Migu, the Chinese star admitted she agreed with the decision to award Namajunas the win, citing her fading cardio in the fifth round as the reason she couldn’t regain her title.

“I think yes, I agree with (the decision). Because I did have cardio issues in the last round. It came down to the last round to determine a winner. This was very important.” (h/t South Morning China Post)

Zhang’s next step is uncertain. While she’s targeting a clash with the surging former champ Carla Esparza, most, including Namajunas, believe “Cookie Monster” has done enough to earn a title shot.

If Namajunas and Esparza do run it back, “Magnum” could feature in a rematch of her own with Joanna J?drzejczyk. The Polish star has set her sights on a return to the Octagon in March or April 2022, and while she’s keen to fight for gold, recently said she won’t wait for the champion if she isn’t ready.

How did you score Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili 2 at UFC 268?

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