Zhang Weili Preparing for Title Rematch with Rose Namajunas

Zhang WeiliFormer UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili has been clamoring for an immediate rematch with the newly-crowned strawweight queen Rose Namajunas ever since her knockout loss at UFC 261. While nothing has been officially announced by the UFC yet in terms of making the matchup happen later this year, Weili is preparing as if she were […]

Zhang Weili

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili has been clamoring for an immediate rematch with the newly-crowned strawweight queen Rose Namajunas ever since her knockout loss at UFC 261.

While nothing has been officially announced by the UFC yet in terms of making the matchup happen later this year, Weili is preparing as if she were in the middle of a fight camp.

Weili provided an update for her fans on her Instagram regarding her comeback to the UFC octagon after losing her strawweight belt and seems keen on reclaiming the throne.

“Everything will continue,” Weili said. “Begin to prepare for battle. I hope to make a little progress every day.”

Weili alluded on her Instagram last week that a fight with Namajunas is close to coming to fruition as she prepares in her native China. She has showcased her trademark vicious striking combined with impressive grappling skills that she hasn’t utilized as much in recent fights.

Namajunas knocked out Weili with a ferocious head kick in their matchup earlier this year in Jacksonville. With the win, Namajunas became the first two-time strawweight champion in the history of the division. She lost the belt to Jessica Andrade back at UFC 237 before avenging the loss at UFC 251 in a number-one contender bout.

Before that, Weili had defeated Andrade to claim the strawweight title and become the first Chinese UFC champion. She then defended her title in a historically great fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 before falling to Namajunas.

A rematch between Namajunas and Weili is sure to be entertaining, and Weili looks like she is preparing for war later this year against the woman who took her place as one of the top female fighters in the world. With another win over Weili, Namajunas has the opportunity to cement herself as an all-time great as she begins her second title reign.

Do you think Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili 2 should happen next?

Zhang Weili Begins Training For Hinted Rematch Against Namajunas

Former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili is training hard ahead of a potential rematch with current champ Rose Namajunas. “Magnum” was looking to defend her 115-pound title for the second time when she fell to Namajunas. Af…

Former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili is training hard ahead of a potential rematch with current champ Rose Namajunas. “Magnum” was looking to defend her 115-pound title for the second time when she fell to Namajunas. After 19 consecutive MMA wins, Zhang earned a title opportunity against Jessica Andrade back in 2019. An explosive […]

Continue Reading Zhang Weili Begins Training For Hinted Rematch Against Namajunas at MMA News.

Zhang Weili Explains Why She Felt Wronged By UFC 261 Stoppage

After Rose Namajunas recaptured her strawweight title against Zhang Weili with a picture-perfect headkick, Weili felt wronged by the stoppage. With the fight ending in just 1:18 seconds into the first round, many fans were surprised to see the fight no…

After Rose Namajunas recaptured her strawweight title against Zhang Weili with a picture-perfect headkick, Weili felt wronged by the stoppage. With the fight ending in just 1:18 seconds into the first round, many fans were surprised to see the fight not turn into a knock-down, drag-out war. The arena was packed with combat-carnage-thirsty fans, and […]

Continue Reading Zhang Weili Explains Why She Felt Wronged By UFC 261 Stoppage at MMA News.

Zhang Weili Explains Why She Felt Wronged By UFC 261 Stoppage

After Rose Namajunas recaptured her strawweight title against Zhang Weili with a picture-perfect headkick, Weili felt wronged by the stoppage. With the fight ending in just 1:18 seconds into the first round, many fans were surprised to see the fight no…

After Rose Namajunas recaptured her strawweight title against Zhang Weili with a picture-perfect headkick, Weili felt wronged by the stoppage. With the fight ending in just 1:18 seconds into the first round, many fans were surprised to see the fight not turn into a knock-down, drag-out war. The arena was packed with combat-carnage-thirsty fans, and […]

Continue Reading Zhang Weili Explains Why She Felt Wronged By UFC 261 Stoppage at MMA News.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk: Carla Esparza Must Prove She Is ‘Championship Level’

Joanna JedrzejczykCarla Esparza is back in the title mix. The former UFC Strawweight Champion, Esparza, first won the inaugural title after having defeated Rose Namajunas in the The Ultimate Fighter 18 finale. The crown wouldn’t stay on her for long as Polish striker Joanna Jedrzejczyk knocked her out in her first title defense. A few bumps […]

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Carla Esparza is back in the title mix.

The former UFC Strawweight Champion, Esparza, first won the inaugural title after having defeated Rose Namajunas in the The Ultimate Fighter 18 finale. The crown wouldn’t stay on her for long as Polish striker Joanna Jedrzejczyk knocked her out in her first title defense.

A few bumps along the way wouldn’t stop Esparza from going back on the road to gold.

“The Cookie Monster” would snack on a streak of 5 straight wins, currently the longest streak held in the division. A win over top contender Yan Xiaonan a few weeks ago would place her in title talks with rivaled champ Rose Namajunas.

While the case for a title shot was made clear by the campaigning Esparza, it is still unsure who will be next in line for Namajunas. Dana White is debating between her and recently dethroned champ Zhang Weili.

A person of interest that comes to mind when discussing these the elite names is former champ, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who has fought all three women inside the Octagon. ‘JJ’ has been sitting around, waiting for a title shot herself. In doing so, she would find some time to break down the current title picture at 115lbs.

“Congrats to Carla.” Joanna told MMA Island. “I’m happy that she has so many straight wins and she’s on this winning patch. Congrats, I’m happy for her because Xiaonan was not an easy opponent.

Though Jedrzejczyk praised her former foe on the win, she isn’t too sure it will warrant a title rematch against ‘Thug Rose’.

“I don’t know what’s next. It’s up to the UFC matchmakers and of course Rose Namajunas. It depends what she’s trying to do next, who she will fight next and what she decides. I don’t know.

“I feel like me or Weili Zhang could be a better matchup for Rose [Namajunas].” Jedrzejczyk continued. “Of course, I don’t want to take anything from Carla Esparza. I don’t know, maybe me or Weili Zhang, Carla could face one of us and see if she is really on this championship level.”

Do you want to see Joanna Jedrzejczyk rematch Carla Esparza?

Zhang Weili Wants Neutral Location For Rose Namajunas Rematch

Zhang WeiliZhang Weili has some suggestions for the location of a potential rematch between her and Rose Namajunas. After getting booed the entire week leading up to the fight, Zhang wants the next one at a neutral location. At UFC 261, Namajunas knocked Zhang out in the first round with a head kick. It was Zhang’s […]

Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili has some suggestions for the location of a potential rematch between her and Rose Namajunas. After getting booed the entire week leading up to the fight, Zhang wants the next one at a neutral location.

At UFC 261, Namajunas knocked Zhang out in the first round with a head kick. It was Zhang’s first career knockout loss and after the crowd in Florida showered her with boos. Zhang admitted that the crowd and the boos did affect her performance and now wants another chance at the belt.

During a livestream, Zhang shared some thoughts about a potential location for the rematch. (H/T mmanews.com)

“Ideally, we would like it to be held in Abu Dhabi,” Zhang said. “This location is neutral to both parties. But now, Rose is the champion, so it might not be up to us. The table has been turned.”

Zhang makes a great point in the fact that Namajunas is the champ now and can do what she wants. One does have to wonder if the location was different, would there be a different outcome?

Either way, Zhang seems ready to move on from her whole UFC 261 experience. Later on during the livestream, she makes comments on how she feels about Namajunas.

“I don’t want to comment on Rose,” Zhang said. “I wanted to touch gloves with her in the fight but she didn’t do it. So I think … I wanted to make friends through MMA, but the other person doesn’t think like that. So oh well. Joanna, I think Joanna is quite cute. She is good, she is cute. She makes things clear and not tries to hide anything. But Rose, she is smart. Very smart.”

UFC President Dana White has hinted at a rematch between the two could be next. However, with Carla Esparza winning against Xiaonan Yan this past weekend, the UFC could go in a different direction.

Do you think a neutral location would have any impact on a rematch between Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas?