UFC 268: Zhang Weili’s team simulating boos, verbal abuse to prepare her for Rose Namajunas battle
- War games all part of preparation as Chinese star steels herself to face Rose Namajunas in title rematch in New York
- ‘The audience shout USA, boo me, and then we play loud booing music with speakers. We make it like the actual battle,’ Zhang says
Zhang Weili has revealed the remarkable and full extent her team has gone to in preparing her for the war expected ahead on Saturday, when the Chinese fighter challenges American Rose Namajunas for her strawweight title at UFC 268 in New York.
Last time the pair met – when a left foot from Namajunas back in April laid Zhang out cold, and lifted the strawweight title away – “Magnum” seemed spooked by the booing and verbals she received from the pro-Namajunas (and, naturally, America) fans inside the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
And the 32-year-old Zhang (21-2) admitted later she had not been fully prepared for the abuse. No matter, she said, it’s all part of the game. But this time around Zhang comes prepared for anything thrown at her – from “Thug Rose” (10-4) and the crowd inside Madison Square Garden.
“After having the experience last time, we understand that because in the US I am away and my opponent is at home, a lot of things will definitely happen,” Zhang said on Wednesday, during a conference call with the Post, and mainland Chinese media.
“So after we came this time, we have made targeted preparations for our training and the atmosphere of the scene. We are doing simulations, there will be audiences, they are not optimistic about you, they come to boo you.”
The “we” Zhang refers to there is her own team – including long-time BJJ coach Pedro Jordao – but it also includes the UFC’s former “champ-champ” (and Olympic wrestling gold medallist) Henry Cejudo, who has taken her under his wing at the Fight Ready gym in Scottsdale, Arizona, alongside his long-time mentor Eric Albarracin.