Weili Zhang Wants to Defend UFC Title at Pay-Per-View Event in China

Weili Zhang outclassed Carla Esparza in all aspects of their UFC 281 co-main event bout on the way to reclaiming the strawweight throne with a second-round submission victory.

According to the Chinese star, it was all part of the plan.

“This fight played out exactly what we expected,” Zhang said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “Me, as a fighter, if you’re a wrestler: OK, let’s wrestle. If you’re a jiu-jitsu player: OK, let’s roll. If you’re a striker: Let’s fight in the standup. That’s how I get improved and prove myself against the best of the best.

“When she landed a couple of punches, I felt nothing, and that’s why I smiled,” she added. “There was completely no threat from her striking, and that also made more relaxed, more calm.”

Zhang initially became strawweight queen in shocking fashion, when she stopped Jessica Andrade in 42 seconds at UFC Fight Night 157 in August 2019. She defended the belt once in an instant classic against Joanna Jedrzejczyk before relinquishing the strap to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. Zhang also dropped a rematch to Namajunas at UFC 268 late last year. 2022 has marked a resurgence for the Fight Ready representative with emphatic finishes against Jedrzejczyk and Esparza.

“I’m very happy for this moment,” Zhang said. “I prepared for this moment for a very long time. Every single day, I motivated myself: ‘I will return to the top.’”

Now that she is back on top, Zhang has designs on defending her title on home soil.

“If we can do it, if the UFC can do it, I hope I can defend my title next year in China,” Zhang said. “A billion Chinese MMA fans, they are looking for a big pay-per-view event in China.”

Zhang’s first championship victory took place in Shenzhen, China, and she believes interest in the sport has increased in her home country since then.

“I think since I won the belt the first time there are more and more young Chinese people, more girls, more women starting to participate in this sport,” Zhang said. “MMA has developed very fast in China, from the UFC PI Shanghai in China in 2019. I also want to say thanks to the UFC. They give all the fighters and this sport massive support, like the UFC PI. They take care of me a lot, whether in Shanghai or Las Vegas. So I do appreciate that we have an MMA promotion like the UFC. They do help us a lot.”

As far as her next opponent, Zhang doesn’t have a preference.

“They’re all good fighters,” Weili said. “I’ll just see what the UFC wants. I’ll be waiting for the call and discuss with them which one is better for me.”