Zhang Weili: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

The UFC strawweight champion would be happy to welcome Zhang Weili back to the division. China’s leading star in mixed martial arts has arrived at a crossroads after falling short in her bid to become flyweight queen at UFC 322 last Saturday.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 19

One of the highest-ranked UFC strawweights who Zhang Weili is yet to fight fails drug test

If Zhang Weili does return to 115 pounds after UFC 322, her pool of potential opponents may have just gotten thinner. The strawweight division has experienced somewhat of a collapse in recent years after Weili largely cleared out the field and showed unrivaled dominance over the weight class.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 18

Rose Namajunas reacts to former rival Zhang Weili’s one-sided loss to Valentina Shevchenko

‘Thug Rose’ had a vested interest in the UFC 322 co-main event. Before Islam Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division UFC champion, Valentina Shevchenko prevented another legend from achieving the same feat.

MMA News / The Body Lock / November 17

UFC 322 results: Shevchenko dominates Zhang Weili, eyes Amanda Nunes rematch

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Zhang Weili by unanimous decision at UFC 322, recording her ninth flyweight title defense The win sets a UFC women’s record

MMA News / Yardbarker / November 17

Potential matchups for some big names after UFC 322

UFC 322 has come to an end and the massive card at Madison Square Garden lived up to it’s hype. Here’s some potential fights that could be made for the new welterweight champion of the world and more.

Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 16

Where does Zhang Weili go from here? Why retirement should not be out of the question after UFC 322

The strawweight GOAT has arrived at a crossroads. At UFC 322, Zhang Weili fell short of following in Amanda Nunes’ footsteps and becoming only the second woman in history to become a two-division champion inside the Octagon.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / November 16

Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Zhang Weili, Retains Flyweight Title at UFC 322

NEW YORK — So much for “toughest test in years.” Valentina Shevchenko reminded everyone why she’s one of the greatest fighters in women’s MMA history on Saturday night, turning a highly anticipated superfight into a one-sided masterclass.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 16

Who’s next for Zhang Weili After Losing to Valentina Shevchenko Fight at UFC 322?

Zhang Weili simply had no answer for Valentina Shevchenko. Like Joe Rogan rightly pointed out in the UFC 322 Octagon interview, she was the one touted as the challenger to finally dethrone the Kyrgyz champion.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 15

Zhang Weili explains why she vacated title ahead of UFC 322 super-fight vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Zhang Weili has the rare opportunity to become a two-division UFC champion. Only several fighters in UFC history have been able to hold belts in two weight divisions, even fewer at the same time.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 14

Ronda Rousey sends Zhang Weili wholesome message of support before UFC 322 title fight

Ronda Rousey is looking forward to the UFC 322 co-main event. Two title fights headline Madison Square Garden this weekend. In the main event, former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev fights for a second belt against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 14

Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili predicted by the Bloody Elbow staff ahead of UFC 322

Islam Makhachev’s welterweight clash with Jack Della Maddalena will take center stage at UFC 322. However, MMA’s premier promotion has chosen to back it up with a super fight co-main event.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 14

How Many Losses Does Zhang Weili Have? MMA Fight History Including Rose Namajunas

Zhang Weili’s record has always looked like a fortress: 26 wins, multiple title reigns, and some of the most violent finishes ever produced by a UFC strawweight.

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MMA News / MMA Sucka / November 14

UFC 322’s Must-See Main Card Saturday Inside MSG!

UFC 322 fight week continues. Saturday night following the anticipated Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn rematch inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, MMA will take center stage inside the United States.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 13

Zhang Weili’s controversial list of the top-three UFC women’s champions has Ronda Rousey in first

Zhang Weili chose against Amanda Nunes and her UFC 322 opponent for the top spot. After establishing herself as an all-time strawweight great in the UFC, Weili has the chance to achieve further greatness at this Saturday’s pay-per-view.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / November 12

Zhang Weili Embraces New Weight Class Ahead of UFC 322 Showdown With Valentina Shevchenko

NEW YORK — As Zhang Weili prepares for her next championship test, there’s a different energy surrounding the former strawweight queen. For the first time in years, she enters fight week not as a defending champion and not as a drained, weight-cutting machine.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / November 11

Dominant Strawweight Champion Aims To Conquer Flyweight

Returning to the flyweight division for the first time in nearly a decade, previous strawweight queen Zhang Weili moves up for the first time in her UFC tenure to challenge for both a second championship, and a special spot in the sport’s history.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / November 11

UFC 322 – Valentina Shevchenko vs Weili Zhang: Preview & Betting Tips

The UFC 322 co-main event in Madison Square Garden brings fans a true superfight in the women’s divisions as flyweight queen Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko takes on strawweight champion Weili Zhang.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / November 11

Pros Predict Valentina Shevchenko Vs. Zhang Weili – ‘She’s A Beast’

UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko prepares to defend her title against Zhang Weili, as pros gave their predictions. Shevchenko (25-4-1) is now in the midst of her second reign as flyweight division, a position she regained after beating Alexa Grasso in their trilogy bout at UFC 306 in September 2024.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / October 22

Jack Della Maddalena’s Coach on Makhachev – ‘Easier than Muhammad’

Ahead of next month’s UFC 322 megafight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, the champion’s coach has given his opinion on the fight. The common consensus is that the #2 P4P fighter on the planet, Makhachev, will be the toughest fight of Della Maddalena’s career.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / October 20

Mackenzie Dern Suggests Zhang Weili Return to Strawweight After Trilogy Prediction vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Since reclaiming her UFC strawweight title from Carla Esparza in November 2022, Zhang Weili has successfully defended her crown three times before deciding it was time for a new challenge.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / August 29

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili Set for Superfight at UFC 322

Two of the most decorated women in MMA history will meet in a blockbuster title clash this fall. Women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will defend her belt against strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 322 on Nov.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / August 29

Zhang Weili vacates strawweight title to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko

The women's flyweight title will be on the line in the UFC 322 co-main event on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Zhang Weili vacated her strawweight championship to move up a division to take on champion Valentina Shevchenko.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / February 10

After dominant title defense at UFC 312, what’s next for Zhang Weili?

In the co-main event this past Saturday at UFC 312, the strawweight title was on the line. The champion Zhang Weili (26-3) found herself in unfamiliar territory as she was the betting underdog against challenger Tatiana Suarez (10-1).

MMA News / MMA on SI / February 9

Joanna Jędrzejczyk sends message to Weili Zhang after UFC rival ties record

Weili Zhang may have caught up to Joanna Jedrzejcyzk in the greatest strawweight of all time conversation. China's first-ever UFC champion made headway in the co-main event of UFC 312 on Saturday, putting her title on the line against undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / April 14, 2024

UFC 300 Co-Main Event Recap: Zhang Weili defeats Yan Xiaonan to retain strawweight title

In the co-main event of UFC 300, we saw a historic strawweight title fight. For the first time in the history of the promotion, two Chinese-Born fighters were competing for a world champion.