NEW YORK – Zhang Weili knew she was going to be champion once again.
The Chinese star reclaimed the women’s strawweight belt Saturday when she dethroned Carla Esparza in the UFC 281 co-main event. Weili (23-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) submitted Esparza (19-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Weili said the fight played out how she imagined it would.
“This fight played out exactly what we expected,” Weili told reporters at the UFC 281 post-fight news conference. “Me, as a fighter, if you’re a wrestler: OK, let’s wrestle. If you’re a jiu-jitsu player: OK, let’s roll. If you’re a striker: Let’s fight in the standup. That’s how I get improved and prove myself against the best of the best.
“When she landed a couple of punches, I felt nothing, and that’s why I smiled,” Weili said. “There was completely no threat from her striking, and that also made more relaxed, more calm.”
Weili lost the UFC strawweight title in early 2021 to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. She failed to get it back in a rematch, but then bounced back from the losses by defeating former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk – a win that earned her a shot at Esparza.
Weili said Saturday’s moment was long in the making.
“I’m very happy for this moment,” Weili said. “I prepared for this moment for a very long time. Every single day, I motivated myself: ‘I will return to the top.'”
As far as what’s next, Weili would love to see a UFC event in China so she can defend her belt there. But as far as specific challengers, Weili is open to all.
“They’re all good fighters,” Weili said. “I’ll just see what the UFC wants. I’ll be waiting for the call and discuss with them which one is better for me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.
