UFC: Zhang Weili already back training at Bangtao, ready to ‘start a new journey’ as she bids for belt

Days removed from a stunning knockout win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275 in Singapore, Zhang is already back on the mats in Phuket
Former strawweight champion says she is ‘ready to go’ with title fight against Carla Esparza seemingly already in the pipeline

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

SCMP Sport

Published: 4:32pm, 16 Jun 2022

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Weili Zhang is already back to training, and her fans in China are making sure she feels supported.

The Chinese MMA superstar returned to the Octagon at UFC 275 last Sunday in Singapore, scoring a highlight-reel knockout over the retiring Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The victory cemented her as the strawweight division’s No 1 contender, and she is expected to receive a shot at champion Carla Esparza later this year.

Zhang did much of her training for UFC 275 at the new Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA facility in Phuket, Thailand, and just days removed from her big win at the event, she has already returned to the beachside gym.

Zhang Weili of China celebrates after her knockout victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland at UFC 275 in Singapore. Photo: Zuffa LLC

“All the dust settled,” Zhang wrote on China’s Twitter-like social media platform Weibo after returning to Phuket, alongside pictures of her working out with a skipping rope.

“Ready to go. Ready to start a new journey.”

Zhang’s brief post generated a wave of support from her loyal fans in China, who will follow along closely as she prepares to challenge Esparza for the belt.

“The 3.0 version of Weili has been launched, and you will definitely be able to get your golden belt back,” one fan wrote.

“Train hard and don’t underestimate the enemy,” another said.

“Love you! Come on! Get the belt back,” read another comment on the platform, where Zhang was a top trending topic on Sunday after her stunning victory, with millions of interactions.

Zhang Weili lands a kick on Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275. Photo: AFP

Zhang ruled over the UFC strawweight division for a brief period in 2019 and 2020. She won the belt with a first-round knockout of Jessica Andrade and defended it once with a decision win over Jedrzejczyk before surrendering it to Rose Namajunas. Namajunas lost the belt to Esparza last month.

It is not yet clear when Zhang will challenge Esparza for the title. At the UFC 25 post-fight press conference, she suggested an October date in Abu Dhabi, but the champion has since stomped all over that suggestion.

Zhang Weili of China throws an elbow at Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland at UFC 275 in Singapore. Photo: Zuffa LLC

Her decision to return to Bangtao just days after her last fight, however, could be quite telling.

With the 32-year-old currently unable to train in her native Beijing because of a spike in Covid-19 cases, it appears she is already gearing up for her next bid to reclaim the strawweight throne.

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