UFC strawweight champ Zhang Weili wants a shot at former champ Rose Namajunas, who hasn't fought since suffering two COVID-19 deaths in her family. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili challenges Rose Namajunas

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/28/20

Zhang Weili, who won the UFC strawweight championship from Jessica Andrade via a first-round knockout in August 2019, told ESPN's Ariel Helwani she wants to defend her title versus a former champion.

Weili respectfully called Rose "Thug" Namajunas out when speaking with Helwani:

"I would fight anyone that the UFC offers to us, but my preference is to fight Rose because I believe she is the highest-level and most-skilled martial artist outside of myself in the division.

"She would be a good challenge for me."

UFC president Dana White responded that Namajunas will first face Andrade in a rematch of their May 2019 title fight won by Andrade. The winner of that contest will likely face Weili for the championship.

As Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie wrote, Namajunas has been on a fighting hiatus after two family members suffered coronavirus-related deaths. White said her fight versus Andrade hasn't been scheduled.

Namajunas hasn't competed since her loss to Andrade, and Andrade has been out of action since her loss to Weili.

Weili successfully defended her title versus former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk via split decision at UFC 248 in March. 15 of 21 media members mentioned by MMA Decisions scored the bout in favor of Weili.

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