Zhang Weili gets China’s first UFC title shot, jumping queue to face Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen
- Brazilian champion Jessica Andrade to make first strawweight defence against rising Chinese star on August 31
- Verbal agreements reportedly in place for UFC on ESPN+ 15 card
Zhang “Magnum” Weili will get her wish as word has spread overnight that the Chinese star will face off against world strawweight champion Jessica Andrade of Brazil as the headline event at the UFC on ESPN+ 15 card scheduled for Shenzhen on August 31.
Verbal agreements are in place for the clash, according to insiders who spoke to the MMA Junkie website, meaning China will have its first ever UFC title challenger – and maybe even a champion after the 29-year-old Zhang has stormed her way into contention after making her debut with the organisation back in 2018.
Zhang and her management team were on to social media early on Tuesday to confirm the rumours – posting “See you in Shenzhen” on her WeChat account, along with an image of the fight poster.
The Hebei-born fighter is on a 3-0 run with the world’s premier MMA organisation, and is 19-1 lifetime in the sport. The buzz has been building, given that record – and the thrill-a-minute manner in which Zhang goes about her business
Though the UFC has yet to formally announce the event, it is understood the fight will headline the organisation’s third foray into the Chinese market.