UFC 261: Zhang Weili wants to beat Rose Namajunas … then bond with her
- China’s strawweight champion faces top-ranked American at blockbuster UFC 261 on April 24
- ‘From an exchange of blows, friendship grows. So I hope maybe we will become friends,’ says Zhang
There’s no doubt Zhang “Magnum” Weili wants to beat “Thug” Rose Namajunas when she puts her strawweight title on the line at UFC 261 on April 24 but the Chinese star has revealed she hopes to bond with the American at the same time.
“From an exchange of blows, friendship grows,” said Zhang. “So I hope maybe we will become friends after this fight.”
Weili (21-1) is an athlete steeped in the traditions of Chinese martial arts and she believes, in the shape of Namajunas (9-4), she sees someone who shares those same traits.
“It’s because Rose is a humble and very great fighter,” explained Zhang. “She beat Joanna [Jedrzejczyk] twice and won against [Jessica] Andrade. She is a competitor with very good ability and I have always hoped I can fight with her.
“I feel a connection to those who fight martial arts, and we build friendships through the martial arts. We learn from each other and exchange our views when we fight together.”