UFC’s Shanghai Performance Institute opens, aiming to give China – and Asia – a cutting edge

Dana White, the UFC president, says he dreams about a Chinese champion – ‘and this is the place that can make a difference’

That could well be Zhang Weili, whom White confirms will fight Jessica Andrade for the strawweight title in Shenzhen on August 31

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The entrance of the UFC Shanghai Performance Institute. A picture on the wall immortalises Kelvin Gastelum’s stunning knockout of Michael Bisping in Shanghai. Photos: UFC

Published: 8:05pm, 20 Jun 2019Updated: 8:05pm, 20 Jun 2019

Dana White and an array of Chinese stars helped the UFC open the doors to its shiny new Performance Institute Shanghai on Thursday, a facility they all hope will not only raise the level of local fighters but of the sport itself across the Asia-Pacific region.

UFC boss White believes the facility, rumoured to have cost around US$13 million, could help unearth a Chinese UFC champion.

“As a promoter that is one of the things you dream about,” White said. “And this is the place the can make the difference. If someone becomes a champion the entire group of people will follow.

“We’re waiting for that from this country and I don’t think anyone here can wrap their heads around how big that would be.”

One of multiple Octagons inside the UFC Performance Institute Shanghai.

That first Chinese champion could be strawweight Zhang “Magnum” Weili (19-1), who is using the facility as she prepares for her title showdown against Brazilian champion Jessica Andrade (20-6) in Shenzhen on August 31. It will be the first time a Chinese fighter has been given a shot at a UFC belt – and the new facilities may well add an edge to the Zhang fight game.