UFC champion Zhang Weili is eager to fight more frequently and aims for a two-division championship, but her inactivity is due to circumstances beyond her control, as she prepares to defend her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312.
UFC champ Zhang Weili is aiming high in her fighting career. She wants everyone to know that her recent inactivity wasn’t by choice.
This Saturday, Zhang returns to the octagon. She’s defending her strawweight title against unbeaten Tatiana Suarez in UFC 312’s co-main event in Sydney. Last time out, Zhang dominated Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 in April. Fans have been curious about her absence since then. “Magnum” explains she hoped for a shot at becoming a two-division champion, but it didn’t pan out.
“This is a very long story, actually,” Zhang told MMA Fighting through a Mandarin translator. She wanted to fight more often, but circumstances were beyond her control. It seems the UFC’s plans and potential opponents’ schedules played a role.
“I work, I was thinking about another fight last year,” she said. But so many changes happened that she ended up not fighting. That’s why she was in Vegas watching Grasso vs. Shevchenko instead of competing herself.
Now, Zhang faces Suarez—who’s returning after a big win over Jessica Andrade at UFC Nashville in August 2023. Suarez has battled through serious injuries to earn this title shot.
Despite not being active recently, Zhang agrees with the UFC’s decision to give Suarez the chance over Virna Jandiroba. She considers the undefeated Suarez potentially her toughest challenge yet.
“Tatiana is different from my previous opponents,” Zhang noted. Her wrestling and grappling skills are top-notch. This forces Zhang to sharpen her own skills, turning pressure into motivation.
Zhang’s eyes are on the current challenge but also on future greatness as one of the world’s best fighters.
When asked if beating Suarez might be her last strawweight fight before a possible champ vs. champ bout with Valentina Shevchenko at 125 pounds, Zhang isn’t sure what the promotion will decide.
“I think it’s still depending on UFC’s arrangement,” Zhang said. Often, what she wants doesn’t align with what’s planned.
But if she could decide?
“Yes, I think if I can make the decision, I think it’s probably my last fight [at 115 with a win].”