With its multi-billion-dollar promotion, UFC boss Dana White has worked relentlessly to expand the sport, now embracing athletes from not only Western and European backgrounds but also Asia. One athlete making waves from East Asia is the undefeated Chinese prospect Wang Cong, who gained prominence in the kickboxing world and regional circuits. Wang began her UFC journey at UFC Vegas 96 in August, where she knocked out her opponent, Victoria Leonardo, in spectacular fashion.

However, this win pales in comparison to her victory over the current flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko, back in 2015. The two met in a kickboxing ring under rules that favored Shevchenko’s Muay Thai background, including liberal clinching and elbows. Despite the odds, Wang Cong emerged victorious, a feat that has sparked curiosity about this Chinese prospect.

Fans are eager to know more about Wang Cong, including whether she’s single or in a relationship. With so many questions surrounding her, we’ve dug a bit deeper to uncover the reality. Let’s dive in!

Does Wang Cong have a boyfriend/husband?

Privacy is a rarity in the information age of the 21st century, especially for top-tier athletes performing at the highest levels. Having a fan following increases a fighter’s marketability, and a lot of UFC fighters regularly engage with social media and their followers. Not Wang Cong, however, as her social media presence, particularly on Instagram, is limited—she has only posted 41 times. Most of her posts focus on her preparations for upcoming MMA events. So, whether Cong has a boyfriend or a husband is up to anyone’s guess.

However, some posts hint at something more, including references to DC’s famous character, the Joker, which seems to have inspired her persona. Wang Cong’s nickname, ‘The Joker’, suggests she may be obsessed with the character, and this became even more evident when she signed with the UFC. Ahead of her UFC Vegas 96 debut in August, she posted a video of herself with makeup as the Joker, captioning it, “Embrace the madness, Joker debuts.”

This playful nod to the infamous character suggests a romanticization of her fighting style with that of the fictional character, embodying the terrifying chaos of Batman’s biggest foe. Incidentally, Deiveson Figueiredo, who is also competing on the same night at UFC Fight Night 248 has the in-ring name ‘Deus da Guerra’, which means ‘God of War’ in Portuguese. The Brazilian fighter even paints his hair blonde with a red streak in a nod to the infamous video game character.

We may not know about Wang Cong’s possible partner, but her embodying a beloved character from pop culture is endearing to fans. Now that we’ve learned a bit about her romantic side (or lack thereof), let’s delve into her early life.

About Wang Cong’s early life and background

As we mentioned earlier, an air of mystery shrouds Wang Cong’s past, as not much is known about her except that she grew up in Shanghai, China. What is known about her life before the UFC, is that she was an athletic child growing up and went on to achieve numerous accolades as a combat sports athlete. ‘The Joker’ gained prominence in kickboxing, and claimed the Kunlun Fight Women’s Lightweight Championship in 2018.

However, just as impressive as her professional kickboxing career, Wang Cong’s achievements in other sports are equally remarkable. She represented her nation in various prestigious championships, including the World Wushu Championship and the 2014 Asian Games, where she clinched back-to-back gold medals, solidifying her reputation.

Before transitioning into MMA, Wang Cong also tried her hand at amateur boxing in 2019, where she earned a silver medal at the World Championship. However, Wang Cong didn’t enter the UFC through the back door—she earned her spot. Prior to joining the UFC, she secured three victories outside the promotion, including a notable win against former UFC contender Wu Yanan. This victory paved the way for her to compete in the Road to UFC event, where a win over Paula Luna from Peru earned her a contract with the UFC.

Now, all eyes are on the upcoming UFC event in Macau this weekend, where the 6-0 undefeated fighter is set to extend her win streak to three on her home turf in China, facing Gabriella Fernandes. While Wang Cong has kept her private life away from prying eyes, we might just get to know more of her if she becomes a superstar someday, much like her fellow countrywoman Zhang Weili. Stay tuned for more updates.