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Jonathan White

China’s UFC champion Zhang Weili and her team have decided to stay in Las Vegas rather than return to Beijing as planned because of the coronavirus, according to reports in Chinese media.
Zhang, who beat Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in Las Vegas on March 8, will stay in the city after cancelling plans to return because of potential exposure, her agent said.
“We dare not move. We can't go anywhere. We will wait in Las Vegas for the time being,” Cai Xuejun told Sina Sports.
The fighter had been expected to arrive in Beijing on Monday after leaving via Vancouver on Sunday but those plans were shelved because of the risk of contracting the virus on the journey.

Zhang previously saw the coronavirus affect her pre-fight preparations as she cut short her Beijing training camp to travel to the US.
After beating Jedrzejczyk to retain her title in a future Hall of Fame fight, Zhang has been recovering at the UFC Performance Centre in Las Vegas.


The city has saw the unprecedented closure of MGM owned casinos and resorts announced on Monday as the city battles the global pandemic. Zhang’s team shared a social media video of empty shelves at a Las Vegas supermarket over the weekend.
If and when Zhang does return to Beijing she will be expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The Chinese capital has reported a number of positive cases arriving from overseas in recent days.


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UFC women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili of China ahead of her fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland at UFC 248. Photo: AP

UFC women's strawweight champion Weili Zhang, right, of China punches former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland during UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

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Joanna Jedrzejczyk at the end of her fight during a split decision loss to Zhang Weili at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Photo: AFP

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Joanna Jedrzejczyk hangs on to Zhang Weili in a split decision loss during their strawweight title bout at UFC 248. Photo: AFP

UFC 248: Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk make compelling case for equal pay in MMA

Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk square off in what was a fight for the ages. Photo: AP

UFC women's strawweight champion Weili Zhang of China and former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland during UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus)/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Joanna Jedrzejczyk hangs on to Weili Zhang in a split decision loss during a strawweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC 248: Zhang Weili ‘not elite’ and will lose next title fight says Valentina Shevchenko

UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili kicks Joanna Jedrzejczyk during UFC 248. Photo: AP

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Agent tells Chinese media that plans to return to Beijing were shelved over risk of exposure to virus along the way
MGM announces closures of casinos and resorts as city battles global pandemic



Zhang Weili’s agent tells Chinese media that UFC champion’s plans to return to Beijing were shelved over risk of exposure to virus along the way


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