appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Nicolas Atkin

Fresh off her historic title win in Shenzhen, UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili hopes she can help repair relations between China and the US.
The 30-year-old – China’s first UFC champion – is in the States for a promotional tour, having finally been granted a visa after venting her frustration on social media about being denied entry multiple times since her momentous August 31 coronation.
“Yeah, hopefully I can be the bridge between our country and the US,” she told TMZ Sports.
“Because I think sport definitely is a very good way to bind two countries and the people that don’t share the same religion or concept, but through the sport we can combine together.”


Zhang also responded to Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s call out. The former champion demanded a shot at “Magnum” after earning a dominant unanimous decision win against Michelle Waterson.
“For Joanna, I don’t think she’s the fighter she used to be, she’s not in the condition she used to be,” Zhang said. “I’m not very interested.
Chinese UFC champion Zhang Weili denied US visa
“Definitely she needs me more than I need her. She’s struggling in the division to fight me. I don’t know whether I’ll give her the chance.”
Zhang said if she had to choose an opponent to defend her title against in her division she would give Rose Namajunas – who dethroned Joanna – the next shot.
“If I had the chance I’d to go up a weight class and fight the best, I think Valentina Shevchenko is one of the best female fighters,” she said.


Trump’s 80th birthday bash to feature UFC fight at White House

MMA fighter with Hong Kong roots wants to fight at ‘home’, make film with Jackie Chan

Ex-painter is first China woman competitor in world slap contest, says helps to confront fears

ONE Championship: Christian Lee vows to finish off Alibeg Rasulov in Tokyo rematch

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Zhang Weili says she can bridge relations between China and the US after visa issues resolved

Zhang Weili celebrates her strawweight title win at UFC Shenzhen. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa

Chinese UFC champion Zhang Weili vents frustration as US denies visa for promotional visit

Zhang Weili celebrates with the Chinese flag after winning the UFC strawweight title. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa

UFC Tampa: Joanna Jedrzejcyzk scores big win over Michelle Waterson; calls out Weili Zhang

Joanna Jedrzejczyk is back in the win column after dominating Michelle Waterson. Photo: AFP

UFC Shenzhen: Zhang Weili says she will fight Henry Cejudo … if he gets a sex change

Zhang Weili celebrates her win against Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen. Photos: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa

Zhang Weili celebrates after knocking out Jessica Andrade

Dana White sees dollar signs (and yuan) in Zhang Weili, the UFC’s first Chinese champion

Zhang Weili celebrates after becoming China’s first UFC champion. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


China’s first UFC champion initially denied visa to enter US but now on promotional tour
‘I think sport is a very good way to bind two countries and people who don’t share the same concept’



China’s first UFC champion was initially denied visa to enter US but now on promotional tour – ‘sport is a very good way to bind two countries who don’t share the same concept’.
