Weili Zhang News
UFC 292 | Pro fighters make their picks for Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos title fight
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 292, the strawweight title is up for grabs as Zhang Weili looks to defend her title against Amanda Lemos. Heading into the scrap, Weili is a sizeable -340 favorite while the Brazilian is a +250 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Zhang Weili will defend her belt at UFC 292 and likely will do so by stoppage in the later rounds.
Zhang Weili shares her gameplan for UFC 292 title fight with Amanda Lemos: “Fight like water”
Susan Cox - August 17, 2023
Strawweight champion Zhang Weili is sharing her gameplan for her UFC 292 title fight with Amanda Lemos. UFC 292 takes place this coming Saturday, August 19th at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The co-main event will feature current champion Zhang Weili (23-3 MMA) going up against Amanda Lemos (13-2 MMA) in the women’s strawweight title fight.
Jessica Andrade expects to earn a rematch with Zhang Weili if she wins at UFC Vegas 69: "I want to take her out to Brazil because I went to China to face her"
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2023
Jessica Andrade is hoping to earn a strawweight title shot on Saturday. Andrade has been bouncing between strawweight and flyweight and will compete at 125lbs in the main event of UFC Vegas 69 as she steps up on short notice to take on Erin Blanchfield. Andrade is coming off a decision win over Lauren Murphy and should she get past Blanchfield, she could get a title shot at flyweight, but she believes this fight can also secure her a rematch against Weili for the strawweight belt.
UFC champion Weili Zhang reveals plans for a future clash with fellow titleholder Valentina Shevchenko: "Eventually we will run into each other"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang believes she’ll meet Valentina Shevchenko in the octagon. ‘Magnum’ is fresh off her title bid against Carla Esparza last month at UFC 281. In that outing, Zhang became a two-time women’s strawweight champion, defeating ‘Cookie Monster’ by submission. The Chinese fighter was also given a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for her victory.
Weili Zhang gets shout for next UFC opponent from Mark Zuckerberg
Andrew Whitelaw - November 16, 2022
Mark Zuckerberg has been getting more involved in Mixed Martial Arts in recent months. The Meta CEO went viral in September when he posted a video of his MMA training alongside Bellator veteran Khai Wu. ‘Zuck’ escalated his interest in the sport when he rented out the APEX Arena for a small group of his friends to watch UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan. Having Witnessed Yan bag the unanimous decision on the night, Zuckerberg reached out to her countrywoman Weili Zhang this week following her title win at UFC 281.
What's next for the stars of UFC 281?
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2022
The UFC returned to Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York for a stacked UFC 281 that saw both titles change hands. In the main event, Israel Adesanya was looking to defend his middleweight title against Alex Pereira. The co-main event saw Carla Esparza looking to defend her strawweight belt against Zhang Weili. Also on the main card was a lightweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler.
Pros react after Weili Zhang subs Carla Esparza at UFC 281
Chris Taylor - November 12, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 281 event was co-headlined by a women’s strawweight title fight featuring Carla Esparza taking on Weili Zhang. Esparza (19-7 MMA) had recaptured the 115lbs title at May’s UFC 274 event, scoring a split-decision win over Rose Namajunas. That victory served as ‘The Cookie Monster’s’ sixth in a row, a streak which included wins over Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson and Alexa Grasso.
UFC 281 Results: Weili Zhang stops Carla Esparza in Round 2 (Video)
Chris Taylor - November 12, 2022
Tonight’s UFC 281 event is co-headlined by a women’s strawweight title fight featuring Carla Esparza taking on Weili Zhang. Esparza (19-7 MMA) recaptured the 115lbs title at May’s UFC 274 event, scoring a split-decision win over Rose Namajunas. That victory served as ‘The Cookie Monster’s’ sixth in a row, a streak which has seen her defeat the likes of Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson and Alexa Grasso.
UFC 281 | Pro fighters make their picks for Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili title fight
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2022
In the co-main event of UFC 281, the strawweight title is on the line as Carla Esparza looks to defend her belt for the first time as she takes on Zhang Weili. Heading into the fight, Esparza is a +285 underdog while the challenger is a massive -400 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros expect Weili to reclaim her strawweight title and even some expect her to finish Esparza.
Carla Esparza relishing in underdog role ahead of UFC 281 title defense against Weili Zhang: "It’s always great to win, but to silence all the doubters"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza is happy to be the underdog this weekend. ‘Cookie Monster’ is set to return for the first time since her controversial win over Rose Namajunas in May. While their first outing eight years prior was a dominant win for Esparza, the second encounter wasn’t.
Watch | Weili Zhang shows incredible strength by lifting UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Josh Evanoff - November 3, 2022
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang looks ready to earn back her gold. ‘Magnum’ has been out of action since her rematch with Joanna Jędrzejczyk in June. Their first outing two years prior was one of the greatest women’s MMA fights of all time. Zhang won that first bout by split decision, but wouldn’t need the judges in the second.
Kamaru Usman on the possibility of Weili Zhang defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281: “That would be sad to watch”
Susan Cox - September 20, 2022
Kamaru Usman is speaking about the possibility of Weili Zhang defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281. It will be Carla Esparza (19-6 MMA) vs Weili Zhang (22-3 MMA) in the strawweight co-main event at UFC 281 on Saturday November 12, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Fight fans react after Carla Esparza books first title defense opposite Weili Zhang: “Well, that reign didn’t last long”
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2022
Fight fans have reacted to the news that Carla Esparza will defend the UFC strawweight championship against Weili Zhang. Ever since her controversial win over Rose Namajunas earlier this year, fans have been wondering what the next step is going to be for Carla Esparza. The veteran, who was the first ever champion in the weight class, is a legend in the strawweight division and is now a two-time champ as a result of her second triumph against ‘Thug Rose’.
Carla Esparza set to defend her strawweight title against Weili Zhang at UFC 281
Susan Cox - August 18, 2022
Carla Esparza in set to defend her strawweight title against Weili Zhang at UFC 281. Esparaza took to ‘Twitter‘ this morning announcing the bout:
Mackenzie Dern interested in interim title fight with Weili Zhang: "That would be a great fight"
Josh Evanoff - June 24, 2022
If Carla Esparza isn’t interested in fighting Weili Zhang, Mackenzie Dern would love to. ‘Magnum’ is fresh off a victory over Joanna Jędrzejczyk earlier this month at UFC 275. Following the knockout win, Zhang called for a fight with the champion later this year. While Dana White confirmed that he will make the fight, Esparza later said the challenger will go on her timeline.
Daniel Cormier gives take on Carla Esparza vs. Weili Zhang: "She might be the biggest challenger favorite ever"
Josh Evanoff - June 15, 2022
Daniel Cormier believes that UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza will be a massive underdog to Weili Zhang. ‘Cookie Monster’ re-captured the UFC’s strawweight title following a win over Rose Namajunas last month. The win saw her move her win-streak to six, and become champion for the first time since 2015. However, her win over ‘Thug Rose’ was also blasted as one of the worst fights in UFC history.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk shares her prediction for Carla Esparza vs. Weili Zhang
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has given her thoughts on what will happen when Weili Zhang challenges Carla Esparza for the UFC strawweight title. Last Saturday night at UFC 275, Joanna Jedrzejczyk retired from mixed martial arts following her knockout defeat at the hands of Weili Zhang. The two put on a thoroughly entertaining rematch in Singapore and while Jedrzejczyk had a few nice moments, the evening belonged to Zhang as a spinning back fist was enough to put a definitive end to their rivalry.
Zhang Weili explains her idea for a UFC Strawweight Title fight against Carla Esparza
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 12, 2022
Zhang Weili has an interesting idea for a UFC Strawweight Title fight against champion Carla Esparza. Zhang made it clear that she’s still an elite 115-pounder at UFC 275. She silenced the doubters by knocking Joanna Jedrzejczyk out cold with a spinning backfist in Singapore.