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UFC’s Zhang Weili ‘dare not move’ from virus-hit Las Vegas, says agent

  • 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

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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

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.

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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.

UFC women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili punches former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Photo: AP
UFC women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili punches former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Photo: AP
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Zhang previously saw the coronavirus affect her pre-fight preparations as she cut short her Beijing training camp to travel to the US.
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