UFC 227: China’s Zhang Weili dreams of emulating Ronda Rousey as one of MMA’s ‘best champions’

The message she is sending out to American strawweight Danielle “Dynamite” Taylor – and to the world – is bring it on.

“To be a champion, you need the heart of a champion,” Zhang said before leaving for the United States. “I knew this day would eventually come, and I have been preparing my whole life for it.”

The Hebei-born 28-year-old (16-1) has now arrived in Los Angeles emboldened by a 16-fight winning streak that saw her dominate in the domestic Kunlun Fight promotion and a fight camp that has her primed and ready to roll against Taylor (9-3).

While Zhang’s bout is way down on a card that comes overloaded with stars – and is headlined by the bantamweight title bout between champion T.J Dillashaw (15-3) and Cody “No Love” Garbrandt (11-1) – she is carrying plenty of hype with her against an opponent that has had four fights (2-2) with the world’s leading MMA organisation to her credit, but looks beatable. On paper at least.