Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3153110/ufc-268-zhang-weili-says-henry-cejudo-has Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 268: Zhang Weili says Henry Cejudo has changed her game ‘mentally’, fight camp ‘unbelievable’
- Former UFC strawweight champ feels ‘amazing’ going into Rose Namajunas title rematch after swapping Beijing for Arizona
- ‘I’m learning so many techniques and different details from him ... He’s exceeded my expectations,’ reveals China’s Zhang
Henry Cejudo (centre) poses with Zhang Weili (right) and Deiveson Figueiredo at the Fight Ready gym in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The physical benefits to be gained from training with US Olympic gold medal winning wrestler and former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo are obvious.
But Zhang Weili (21-2) has revealed that moving her fight camp from Beijing to work with “Triple C” in Arizona has changed her game mentally heading into November 6’s huge UFC 268 strawweight title rematch with Rose Namajunas.
“I’ve been wanting to train with him for a while, but the pandemic delayed our plans so I wasn’t able to train with him until now,” Zhang told Helen Yee at the Fight Ready Gym in Scottsdale.
“I feel amazing with him. He’s extremely knowledgeable about everything in MMA and fitness. I’m learning so many techniques and different details from him. It’s been unbelievable.
“He’s exceeded my expectations. I’ve learned a lot of new things, more than I can express. Every day he’s teaching me so many new, valuable things. He’s taught me a lot, not only technically but mentally as well.”
The retired Cejudo has been waxing lyrical about “Weili 2.0” and giving the “Ferrari” an oil change, with Deiveson Figueiredo also buying in to the 34-year-old American’s sales pitch – the Brazilian has moved his fight camp to the desert as well, as he bids to regain the flyweight title from Brandon Moreno in January.
Zhang has clearly been working on her ground game with Cejudo and his coach Eric Albarracin, and will no doubt look to close the distance against Namajunas (10-4), after being caught with that devastating head kick in Florida the first time around.
But she knows technique can only get you so far.
“I’m prepared. I’ve been working hard this entire time,” the 32-year-old added. “The most valuable lesson I learned from my last fight is focus. Being focused is so important.
“Focus on yourself, and don’t let anything outside distract you, because you can’t control that, you can only control yourself. I believe we should focus on ourselves and can always better ourselves.”