Tag: Zhang Weili

Rose Namajunas Doubles Down On Zhang Weili & Communism

Rose NamajunasUFC strawweight Rose Namajunas has no regrets about recent controversial remarks she made about strawweight champion Zhang Weili and her native China. It all started when Namajunas spoke with Lithuanian National Radio and Television this past weekend and was asked about her upcoming fight with Weili. In response, Namajunas used the phrase “better dead than red”, alluding […]

Rose Namajunas

UFC strawweight Rose Namajunas has no regrets about recent controversial remarks she made about strawweight champion Zhang Weili and her native China.

It all started when Namajunas spoke with Lithuanian National Radio and Television this past weekend and was asked about her upcoming fight with Weili. In response, Namajunas used the phrase “better dead than red”, alluding to Weili’s home in communist China.

The phrase “better dead than red” was used as an anti-communist slogan during the height of the Cold War in the mid-1950s.

Namajunas, who is Lithuanian-American, expanded on her comments in an interview with ESPN earlier this week.

“My opinions are based on my experiences,” Namajunas said during an appearance on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show” on ESPN. “You can watch ‘The Other Dream Team’ documentary, and you could get a good idea as to what my family had to go through, the reason I’m in the United States today, the reason that I do mixed martial arts, all of that stuff.”

“The Other Dream Team” is a documentary about the 1992 Lithuanian men’s national basketball team’s struggles under soviet rule, and how they became symbols of the country’s movement towards independence.

When asked about Weili specifically as a person, Namajunas clarified that she holds no direct animosity towards the champion and that her past comments are in regards to her country in particular.

“I love Weili. I don’t know her. I know she wants to be friends and all that stuff, and it would be great to get to know her,” Namajunas said.

The two top strawweights are scheduled to fight in the co-main event of UFC 261 on April 24th. Namajunas is coming off of an impressive victory over former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 251, while Weili hasn’t fought since defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk in a slugfest at UFC 248 in March 2020.

Weili hasn’t responded to Namajunas’ recent comments but has said in the past that she hopes the two can be friends going forward.

What do you think about Rose Namajunas’ comments about Zhang Weili and China?

Valentina Shevchenko Picks Namajunas To Beat Zhang At UFC 261

Valentina ShevchenkoValentina Shevchenko isn’t interested in talking up a potential super fight with strawweight queen Weili Zhang. The UFC flyweight champion partly believes Zhang will soon lose her title. The 115lb champion is scheduled to defend her belt against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 on April 24. On the same card Shevchenko will put her flyweight […]

Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Shevchenko isn’t interested in talking up a potential super fight with strawweight queen Weili Zhang.

The UFC flyweight champion partly believes Zhang will soon lose her title.

The 115lb champion is scheduled to defend her belt against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 on April 24.

On the same card Shevchenko will put her flyweight title on the line against Jessica Andrade.

In the early months of 2021, speculation has been building about what’s next for Shevchenko and Zhang if they retain their belts at UFC 261.

The prospect of a champ vs. champ fight has been brought up by many fans and pundits who are getting excited about a potential match-up between Shevchenko and Zhang.

In an interview with James Lynch of Fanatics View, Shevchenko revealed she doesn’t share the same excitement.

This is largely due to her belief that Namajunas will beat Zhang and end talk of the super fight at UFC 261.

“I don’t want to rush (the Zhang superfight) yet because I still believe that Rose is going to be the winner,” Shevchenko told Lynch. “I still believe it, that’s why if it happens this way there is no more talk. So let’s see. Let’s see what’s going to happen on that night and I’ll look at that fight. If Weili wins, okay, you’re welcome, I don’t see any problem to fight her because I understand totally her fight game and what she is a fighter. It’s just going to be a massive preparation to do my best in this fight (against Andrade). So let’s see how it’s going to happen. Let’s see how the fight turns out.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Do you agree with Valentina Shevchenko? Will Rose Namajunas scupper plans for the super fight by beating Weili Zhang at UFC 261 on April 24?

REPORT | Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas In The Works For UFC 261

Zhang WeiliZhang Weili is set to defend her strawweight title against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 according to a report from Ariel Helwani. The ESPN journalist took to social media to share the news with his followers. “Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas for the strawweight title is in the works for UFC 261 on April 24, […]

Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili is set to defend her strawweight title against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 according to a report from Ariel Helwani.

The ESPN journalist took to social media to share the news with his followers.

“Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas for the strawweight title is in the works for UFC 261 on April 24, per multiple sources,” Helwani wrote. “The fight isn’t finalized just yet, however, that’s the date the promotion and both fighters are targeting at this time. Hoping to get done in coming days.”

“The UFC had been working on holding that event in Singapore, per sources, but sources say it’s now looking like it will take place in Las Vegas,” Helwani added. “Those plans aren’t finalized just yet either.”

Zhang hasn’t competed since her split decision victory the 2020 Fight of the Year with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248.

Namajunas was last seen in action at UFC 251. ‘Thug Rose’ avenged her loss to Jessica Andrade, picking up a split decision win against the former champ.

UFC 261 Fight Card

Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas
Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade
Uria Hall vs. Chris Weidman
Jimmy Crute vs. Anthony Smith
Danaa Batgerel vs. Kevin Natividad

Who do you think will win at UFC 261? Zhang Weili or Rose Namajunas?

Report – UFC 261 Targeted For Las Vegas On April 24, Singapore Plans Shelved

UFCTentatively expected to travel to Singapore for an April 24 UFC 261 pay-per-view event, the promotion is now targeting a stay in home base, Las Vegas, Nevada for the card — with plans for a showcase in the Far East shelved for the time being. Floating a strawweight title fight for incumbent gold holder, Zhang […]

UFC

Tentatively expected to travel to Singapore for an April 24 UFC 261 pay-per-view event, the promotion is now targeting a stay in home base, Las Vegas, Nevada for the card — with plans for a showcase in the Far East shelved for the time being.

Floating a strawweight title fight for incumbent gold holder, Zhang Weili against either former champions, Rose Namajunas or Carla Esparza — reports suggested that the organization were planning on fielding an event in Singapore, on the heels of a recent showing from hometown promotion, ONE Championship.

According to a report from Brazilian outlet, Combate and reporter, Raphael Marinho — the UFC is now planning on hosting the event on familiar Las Vegas soil after talks with the local government broke down, with Weili still earmarked to draw the above mentioned, Namajunas, however, if that matchup fails to come to fruition — the promotion will look to Esparza to tackle the current champion. Should Weili and Namajunas square off, Team Oyama staple, Esparza would then target a matchup against Weili’s compatriot, the surging, Yan Xiaonan. 

The promotion has been limited to events in Abu Dhabi, UAE — Jacksonville, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with their last expedition from these locations coming in March of last year where they fielded a lightweight main event between Charles Oliveira and Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night Brasilia — behind a closed gate. 

Scoring the first successful defence of her strawweight throne at UFC 248 in March — Weili met with former division queen, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, battling to a close split decision victory, in the promotion’s consensus Fight of the Year.

Earning her number-one rank at 115-pounds, former champion, Namajunas avenged a May 2019 slam knockout loss to former titleholder, Jessica Andrade — besting the Brazilian at UFC 251 in July in another close affair, nabbing a split decision at the ‘Fight Island’ event.

Inaugural UFC and Invicta FC strawweight champion, Esparza has enjoyed a four-fight undefeated streak since her UFC 228 knockout loss to surging challenger, Tatiana Suarez. Scoring a unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba, Esparza notched a trio of close decision triumphs over Alexa Grasso, Michelle Waterson, and Marina Rodriguez.

Promotional-perfect contender, Xiaonan has amassed a six-fight undefeated streak in six Octagon outings. The Liaoning native has defeated the likes of Kailin Curran, Viviane Pereira, Syuri Kondo, Angela Hill, and in her two most recent appearances, knocked back former title chasers, Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Claudia Gadelha. 

REPORT: Zhang Weili To Headline Singapore Card In April

Weili ZhangZhang Weili is supposedly set to make her second strawweight title defence in April. According to a report by Asian MMA and SCMP MMA journalist John Hyon Ko, the UFC are working on making the event in Singapore. “Still in the early stages but the #UFC is targeting a show on April 17th or 24th […]

Weili Zhang

Zhang Weili is supposedly set to make her second strawweight title defence in April.

According to a report by Asian MMA and SCMP MMA journalist John Hyon Ko, the UFC are working on making the event in Singapore.

“Still in the early stages but the #UFC is targeting a show on April 17th or 24th in Singapore with Zhang Weili as the headliner, per source,” John Hyon Ko wrote on social media.

With ONE FC recently holding an event in the same location, it seems like a realistic goal for the UFC. Zhang’s status as the only current Asian UFC champion means there will undoubtedly be a large amount of local interest in the fight.

A potential challenger has not yet been announced, although it is likely to be either Rose Namajunas or Carla Esparza.

Namajunas would be the natural candidate to contest Zhang for the title. She is a former champion herself and is coming off a dominant win over Jessica Andrade. Whilst Dana White initially splashed cold water over the prospective matchup, he has since come out and stated that Zhang vs Namajunas is the fight to make.

The card may also feature some of Asia’s other brightest talents, such as Yan Xiaonan and Su Mudaerji. As the UFC attempt to further appeal to Asian audiences.

Who would you like to see Zhang face on this April UFC event? Let us know in the comments.

5 Fights To Watch At UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero

It seems like UFC 247 was not that long ago, but UFC 248 brings two title fights with it as well as some great matches throughout the event. While fans are focused on the main and co-main event, there are some other fights that might bring some added e…

It seems like UFC 247 was not that long ago, but UFC 248 brings two title fights with it as well as some great matches throughout the event. While fans are focused on the main and co-main event, there are some other fights that might bring some added excitement leading up to the title bouts. […]

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