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Namajunas Would Still Befriend Weili, But ‘I Kicked Her In The Face’

Rose Namajunas believes that kicking someone in the face should not stop you from being friends with them. “Thug” Rose Namajunas is set to have a rematch with Zhang Weili, after taking the title from the then-champ earlier this year, becoming the first female fighter in UFC history to regain a belt that she lost. […]

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Rose Namajunas believes that kicking someone in the face should not stop you from being friends with them.

“Thug” Rose Namajunas is set to have a rematch with Zhang Weili, after taking the title from the then-champ earlier this year, becoming the first female fighter in UFC history to regain a belt that she lost. Prior to that first meeting, the Chinese champion had some nice things to say about the American, stating that she could even see the two of them being friends.

Speaking on The MMA Hour prior to their rematch at UFC 268, Namajunas said that she would still be down to have a friendly relationship with Weili. That being said, she does question whether or not this is something Weili would want, considering their last encounter ended with a head kick.

“I don’t know what to think of her. She said she wanted to be friends, so I’m still waiting for a proper introduction. Like, ‘Hello! How’s it going?’ But obviously, I kicked her in the face so she doesn’t want to be friends no more. So I don’t know.”

There are certainly other factors that could contribute to there not being a friendship between Namajunas and Weili, aside from their first fight’s outcome. This is not to say that there is bad blood between the two per se, but Namajunas certainly got some pushback for her controversial comments regarding the state of Communism in China, ahead of their first bout.

Nevertheless, Rose Namajunas will have a rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 268, on November 6th, in the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden. It will be interesting to see if these two form a friendly relationship by the end of this fight.

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Zhang Weili Believes Rose Namajunas ‘Crossed The Line’ With Communism Comments

Zhang Weili has been reflecting on the build-up to her first fight with Rose Namajunas ahead of the strawweight duo’s eagerly-anticipated rematch on November 5 at UFC 268. In the lead-up, to UFC 261 Lithuanian-American Namajunas used the anti-communist phrase “better dead than red” when discussing Zhang who hails from China. During a recent appearance […]

Zhang Weili has been reflecting on the build-up to her first fight with Rose Namajunas ahead of the strawweight duo’s eagerly-anticipated rematch on November 5 at UFC 268.

In the lead-up, to UFC 261 Lithuanian-American Namajunas used the anti-communist phrase “better dead than red” when discussing Zhang who hails from China.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Zhang admitted that Namajunas’ anti-communist rhetoric had a profound impact on her and the crowd in attendance at UFC 261 back in April.

“I think it definitely affected me a little bit,” Zhang told Ariel Helwani. “The comments that Rose made, I think she was successful in making the audience boo me. But I think that’s my own problem because I should be concentrating on the fight and not the audience. I can’t control who the audience likes. So I’m becoming more focused on my own fight.”

“In my mind, I think that, yes, those comments crossed the line because I think all the audience, all the fighters, we all come together in the UFC because we all share the passion of the MMA sport,” Zhang continued. “In my mind, I’m coming here because I want to make friends because we all have the common love of martial arts. I think it’s not a good thing to mix sport with politics, but I think that’s maybe her plan. So in the beginning, I thought it was just kind of trash talk. It really didn’t affect me. But when I went out in the stadium and got booed, I think Rose wanted to use those comments to make the audience boo me.”

Zhang insists she will not be fazed by the crowd at UFC 268 next month.

“I have been to New York City once, but I’ve never been to Madison Square Garden,” Weili said. “I’m very much looking forward to the fight, and I’m also expecting there will be some Chinese audience that will want to go to cheer me. But I also adjusted my mentality. Even if the audience boos me, I will just think they like me.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Do you agree with Zhang Weili? Did Rose Namajunas cross the line with her anti-communist comments?

Namajunas Says UFC 261 Kick “One Of 10 Ways” She Could Finish Zhang

UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has suggested the head kick she used to knock Zhang Weili out at UFC 261 was just “one of 10 ways” she could finish “Magnum.” In front of the first sold-out crowd at a UFC event in well over a year, Namajunas became the first woman in UFC history […]

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UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas has suggested the head kick she used to knock Zhang Weili out at UFC 261 was just “one of 10 ways” she could finish “Magnum.”

In front of the first sold-out crowd at a UFC event in well over a year, Namajunas became the first woman in UFC history to reclaim a title after losing it. “Thug Rose” had previously won and defended the title against Joanna J?drzejczyk. She lost the 155-pound gold in 2019 after being on the receiving end of a brutal slam against Jéssica Andrade.

Having exacted revenge on the newly-beltless Brazilian at UFC 251 on Fight Island, Namajunas booked her spot against the high-flying champion Zhang. In the April pay-per-view’s co-main event, the 29-year-old provided one of the most memorable moments in UFC history, knocking the Chinese star out with a vicious left head kick. In achieving victory, Namajunas handed Zhang her first loss in the promotion and ended her remarkable 21-fight win streak.

Now set to run it back with her third opponent in a row, Namajunas is confident of getting the better of Zhang for the second time this year. The pair are set to collide again at UFC 268 next month.

In an interview with The Schmo ahead of the first title defense of her second reign, “Thug Rose” acknowledged the challenge she’ll be facing come November 6. However, in her mind, if she performs to her best ability, she is the best at 115 pounds.

“I’m highly confident in this fight. Knowing what’s ahead of me, I have a big task ahead of me. But I think there’s a lot of stuff that’s working in my favor. I think sometimes I take that and I spin it the other way around and I go, ‘Alright, so I gotta make sure that I’m really on top of my game because it’s easy to be sleepy.’ As long as I’m doing my best, I am the best.”

Assessing what tools she may use in her rematch against “Magnum,” Namajunas revealed she’ll be using another kick-heavy attack. Despite suggesting she could look to finish Zhang in the same way she did at UFC 261, the Wisconsin-native claimed the head kick is just one of many ways she envisions herself being able to stop the former champ.

“Well it worked [the head kick]. We can always test that out [again]. I’m always going to be throwing those kicks now. That’s my original martial arts… that’s what I started in is Taekwondo. I’ll definitely be doing that and a lot more. That was just, kind of, one of 10 ways that I see myself finishing her.”

Despite the red-hot form of the inaugural strawweight queen Carla Esparza, who has built a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Yan Xiaonan, one half of this weekend’s main event Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson, and Alexa Grasso, Zhang has had her wish for an immediate rematch with Namajunas granted. Her chance for redemption will be the first of two blockbuster championship rematches set to go down inside Madison Square Garden.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman will revisit his rivalry with Colby Covington. Having already beaten “Chaos” at UFC 245 in 2019, “The Nigerian Nightmare” will look to repeat the feat on November 6.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 268, Rose Namajunas or Zhang Weili?

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Henry Cejudo And Zhang Weili Put Rose Namajunas On Notice

Former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is helping out another former UFC champion, Zhang Weili. Henry Cejudo has many accomplishments on his resume. He was an Olympic wrestling gold medalist, he was a UFC duel division champion, now he can add a coach to his list of accolades. Cejudo was seen recently training with former UFC […]

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Former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is helping out another former UFC champion, Zhang Weili.

Henry Cejudo has many accomplishments on his resume. He was an Olympic wrestling gold medalist, he was a UFC duel division champion, now he can add a coach to his list of accolades. Cejudo was seen recently training with former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili as she prepares for her title fight rematch with Rose Namajunas at UFC 268 in November.

The two of them posted a photo together on Cejudo’s Instagram with a warning to Namajunas. You can find the photo below.

“Lock your doors, hide your thugs and give us all the roses because Weili 2.0 is coming! #andnew,” Cejudo wrote.

Weili lost her title to Namajunas back in April at UFC 261. Namajunas handed Weili her first-ever knockout and her first loss in eight years. Recruiting the help of Cejudo and his high-level wrestling skills will only benefit Weili against the dangerous Namajunas.

Weili isn’t the only former champ that Cejudo is lending his services to now that he is retired. He is also helping out his predecessor, Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo will be looking to get his belt back when he faces off against Brandon Moreno in their trilogy fight.

Not to be outdone by his pupils, Cejudo continues to tease a comeback and would like to see featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the Octagon. Cejudo has also expressed interest in fighting TJ Dillashaw and Aljamain Sterling. These may be empty threats at this time, but many MMA fighters have made it a trend to return from retirement in the past.

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Jessica Andrade Open To Changing Weight Classes After UFC 266

Jessica Andrade says she’s willing to return to either of her former weight classes if the opportunity is right. Andrade is the first women in UFC history to win a fight in three different weight classes. After starting her career at bantamweight, she won the title at strawweight before challenger for the flyweight title in […]

Jessica Andrade says she’s willing to return to either of her former weight classes if the opportunity is right.

Andrade is the first women in UFC history to win a fight in three different weight classes. After starting her career at bantamweight, she won the title at strawweight before challenger for the flyweight title in just her second fight in the division.

She now meets Cynthia Calvillo on the main card of UFC 266. Despite appearing to be at home in the flyweight division, Andrade says she is willing to fight at strawweight or bantamweight again if it means a better opportunity.

“It was the opportunity – Cynthia called me out and it worked out,” Andrade told MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “But I’m still considering fighting at strawweight at 115 (pounds), and even if the UFC wants me to fight at 135, I’m ready to.

“I’m ready to make a statement. This Saturday is not going to be different. I want people to talk about me the next day, and I’m sure they will talk about me.”

Two women that Andrade is quite familiar with, Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili, are set to fight for the UFC strawweight title at UFC 268. Regardless of who wins, ‘Bate Estaca’ would be more than happy to face the champion in a rematch if the UFC is willing to make it happen.

“I’d fought both, but Weili was very quick (when she lost to Namajunas),” Andrade said. “I think this time the fight is not going to be that quick. I think it’s going to be a five-round fight and maybe Rose is going to win by points. Maybe the UFC will give me the chance to fight Rose again or Weili, whoever wins the fight. A third fight against Rose or Weili.”

A fight against either woman would be sure to grab MMA fans attention. Andrade is 1-1 against Namajunas; she defeated her by second-round TKO in their first meeting to claim the championship, but lost a three-round decision in the rematch. However, the second fight was a back-and-forth affair that had Andrade looking like she was in complete control towards the end of the fight. A five-round fight between the two is almost guaranteed to produce fireworks.

As for Weili, she quickly ran through Andrade in their fight, taking the title away from her in less than a minute. The quick nature of the fight has had many fans wondering what a rematch between the two would look like ever since.

Andrade’s style has long made her a fan favourite, and her willingness to change weight classes for the best fight is sure to only endear her even more so. Should she come out victorious on Saturday night, it will be interesting to see what the UFC offers her going forward, and what weight class she next appears in.

What division do you think Jessica Andrade should compete in? Let us know!

Weidman Doesn’t Think Zhang Should Use His Injury As An Excuse

UFC middleweight Chris Weidman has suggested women’s strawweight Zhang Weili shouldn’t use his injury as an excuse for her defeat at UFC 261. At the April pay-per-view, Zhang had her 21-fight winning streak ended at the hands of Rose Namaju…

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