Zhang Weili

THE FIGHTER

Zhang Weili became the first Chinese champion in UFC history when she stopped Jessica Andrade in 42 seconds to win the strawweight title in August 2019. That finish alone would have made her notable. What followed made her one of the most compelling figures in the sport. She engaged in back-to-back wars with Joanna Jedrzejczyk that are widely considered among the greatest fights in women's MMA history, won both, lost the title to Rose Namajunas, and then systematically rebuilt herself into a more complete and more dangerous version of the same fighter.

Zhang is the current strawweight champion and operates at the absolute top of the division with a game that combines her powerful, combination-based striking with legitimate wrestling and physical control. She is not the biggest name in the sport globally, but she is arguably the most complete fighter at 115 pounds and defends her title with the thoroughness of someone who has learned from every setback she has faced.

Her significance extends well beyond her record. In China, she is a legitimate sports star, and the UFC's expansion across Asia has accelerated around her success. She represents something real for combat sports fans in markets that the UFC has been trying to develop for years, and she delivers every time the lights are on.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

SIGNATURE MOVES

BIGGEST WINS