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SHENZHEN, CHINA – AUGUST 31: Zhang Weili of China celebrates after her knockout victory over Jessica Andrade of Brazil in their UFC strawweight championship bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre on August 31, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC)
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SHENZHEN, CHINA – AUGUST 31: Zhang Weili of China celebrates after her knockout victory over Jessica Andrade of Brazil in their UFC strawweight championship bout during the UFC Fight Night event at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre on August 31, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White has a piece of good news for all Weili Zhang fans in Asia. The UFC President just announced that he is planning on a fight for the women’s strawweight champ later this year in Asia. This would mean that fans of Zhang may get a chance to witness her live in action.
In a conversation with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, White dropped the news regarding what to expect for Zhang in 2021. The latter fought only once in 2020 when she defended her crown against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The fight would go on in the history books as one of the greatest female MMA fights of all time, as well as the best fight of 2020.
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White said that the next deserving opponent in line for a title shot is Rose Namajunas. However, if that fight fails to take place, he has a backup in store.
“We’re working on her [Weili Zhang] too. Obviously, the fight that everyone wants to see is her and Rose. Hopefully, we can get that done. If not, the next one in line would probably be Carla Esparza. We’re looking at doing that fight this year and in Asia,” Dana White said.
Dana White has suggested that Rose Namajunas doesn’t wanna fight Weili Zhang
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The first UFC champion from China, Weili Zhang, has won twenty-one straight professional fights. Her stock is at an all-time high, particularly in her home nation and in East Asia, in general. Therefore, White is looking to cash in on the opportunity. This should also lead to more fighters spring up from a region that has no shortage of people.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Zhang Weili of China prepares to fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland in their UFC strawweight championship fight during the UFC 248 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
However, as of late, it seems that the issue for White is finding the right opponent for Zhang. Rose Namajunas, who defeated Jessica Andrade at UFC 251, is 4-1 in her last five fights. Despite having the best resume for a contender, White said that he had heard that ‘Thug Rose’ didn’t wanted to fight for a title. He added that the former champ didn’t like the pressure of being one and hence isn’t looking to fight for it.
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Namajunas was quick to clap back at the UFC head honcho. Labeling herself as the pressure cooker, Namajunas reminded her fans that she lives to become a champion again someday. If the same is true, White should waste no time in getting the fight signed as soon as possible.
Read More: Weili Zhang’s Coach Provides an Update on UFC Return
