ONE Championship: Meng Bo says she’ll ‘surpass’ UFC champ Zhang Weili, and can beat her again
- The only woman to have beaten Zhang, Meng ‘annoyed’ by media comparisons with Chinese compatriot
- No 2-ranked ONE atomweight congratulates Zhang on success but says ‘I’m younger than her and I fight without any fear’
The only woman to beat UFC strawweight champ Zhang Weili, Meng Bo is not only confident she could repeat the trick, but also vows she will “surpass” her Chinese compatriot.
Now fighting in ONE Championship, where she returns to action on Friday night at ONE: Unbreakable in Singapore, 24-year-old Meng defeated Zhang in what was both their first professional fight, taking a two-round unanimous decision in the regional China MMA League in 2013.
The 30-year-old “Magnum” has remained undefeated since, storming to glory by becoming China’s first title-holder in the UFC, and defending her belt in a classic five-round war against former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk last March.
“To be sure, I congratulate Zhang Weili on her achievements in the UFC,” Meng told ONE’s virtual media day on Tuesday. “A lot of attention on Chinese female MMA fighters has been brought in because of her great performances.
“I appreciate that, but I know fans and media like to compare me with her because of the fight where I have defeated her before. To be clear, I believe I will surpass her one day because I’m younger than her and I fight without any fear.