Weili Zhang Likes Suarez as Next Challenger, Also Considering Move to 125 Pounds

Weili Zhang was absolutely dominant against Amanda Lemos in the UFC 292 co-main event.

The Chinese star relied on takedowns, top control and ground-and-pound to cruise to a unanimous verdict over Lemos on Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston. Zhang now has won three straight fights and has four victories in championship bouts to her credit.

“The only challenge or opponent to me is myself,” Zhang said through an interpreter at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “What we’re going to do every day is make (myself) better than who I was yesterday.”

Outside of a pair of brabo choke attempts from her back, Lemos rarely threatened the reigning champion. Zhang was more impressed with the Brazilian’s resolve in the 25-minute affair.

“The submission she had in the first round was not that deep. She didn’t really get my neck, so it’s not that dangerous to me,” Zhang said. “… She’s unbelievably tough. I respect her. There were so many moments in the fight I felt she was almost out, but she got through this.”

Talk then quickly turned to what might be next for Zhang. Both Tatiana Suarez and Xiaonan Yan were mentioned as potential foes, but Zhang first cited a desire for some time off following a lengthy training camp.

“I started my training camp this time since March, so I left my home for a couple months – such a long time,” Zhang said. “The only thing in my mind right now is just returning to home together with my family.”

However, of the two prospective foes, Zhang seemed more interested in a matchup against Suarez.

“She’s good,” Weili said. “She’s undefeated. She’s a very good fighter. I think she can be a potential challenger next.”

With that being said, there is also the possibility that Zhang moves up to flyweight in a bid to become a two-division champ. At the very least, she will be an interested observer when Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko square off next month.

“That was what I was thinking about is moving up to the flyweight division,” Zhang said. “But let’s see what happens next in the 125 division.”