UFC: Zhang Weili cuts Beijing training camp short over fears of deadly coronavirus

Strawweight champion Zhang Weili will defend her belt against Poland’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 on March 8

The UFC is working on expediting Zhang from Beijing to the US, according to her manager

Reading Time:2 minutes

UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang punches Danielle Taylor at UFC 227 in 2018. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:06pm, 3 Feb 2020Updated: 5:06pm, 3 Feb 2020

China’s first and only UFC champion Zhang Weili has opted to cut short her training camp in Beijing over fears of the new deadly coronavirus.

Zhang, who defends her strawweight belt for the first time against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in Las Vegas on March 8, had said she and her team would see our fight preparations in the Chinese capital. It would appear the outbreak, which since spread across China leaving 361 dead and over 17,000 confirmed (as of Monday afternoon) to have contracted it, is a risk not worth taking.

“The UFC has been working hard to expedite getting Weili and her team here for precautionary reasons,” said Zhang’s manager Brian Butler to MMA Fighting.

In October last year, the 30-year-old Zhang (professional MMA record 20-1) was denied entry to the United States over issues with her visa. US presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard helped to raise awareness on the issue, urging her state department to “recognise the values of fighters like Zhang Weili … who herself has made history and broken down barriers through her own accomplishments”. Zhang was granted entry soon after and proceeded with her media tour having defeated then-champion Jessica Andrade.

“I have connected the UFC with Tulsi Gabbard again who [is] graciously trying to help push things forward,” Butler said, adding to ESPN that the team is “safe” and hope to board a fight to the US by Tuesday.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x