Weili Zhang (UFC) Wiki, Height, Weight, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Weili Zhang (张伟丽) is a professional Chinese Mixed Martial Artist who has competed in the women’s Strawweight division and Flyweight Division (2016) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She has held the title of the two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. She started her career in 2013 professionally and had previously competed for Kunlun Fight (KLF). She was recognized as the KLF Women’s Strawweight Champion. As of 2023, she stands at #3 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. Throughout her journey, she has been coached by different trainers for her different fighting styles. Her coaches are Xuejun Cai (MMA), Pedro Jordão (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), and Chong Xie (Hyperarch Fascia Training).

Wiki/Biography

Weili Zhang, also known as Zhang Weili, was born on Sunday, 13 August 1989 (age 34 years; as of 2023) in Handan, Hebei, China. Her zodiac sign is Leo.

She began studying martial arts at the age of six under the direction of a local teacher, after being inspired by Kung Fu films. He participated in a variety of sports throughout primary school, including athletics, football, and table tennis. Her parents enrolled her in a specialised martial arts school in Handan when she was 12 years old, where she began training in Sanda, and a Chinese wrestling technique known as Shuai jiao. She was picked for the Jiangsu province Sanda squad after winning many Hebei province Sanda championships, but due to an unbearable back issue incurred in training, she was forced to retire early. By the age of 17, after completing High School, she relocated to Beijing and took on various jobs, including supermarket cashier, kindergarten teacher, and hotel clerk. By 2010, she began working as a fitness instructor in a Beijing gym. This allowed her to use the gym equipment after hours and introduced her to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Transitioning to a front desk role, she connected with fighters, including her MMA idol, Wu Haotian. In 2012, Haotian introduced her to Black Tiger Fight Club, where coach Cai Xuejun saw her potential and began her MMA training.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 4″

Weight (approx.): 52 kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Figure Measurements (approx.): 28-24-28

Family

Weili Zhang belongs to a Chinese family from Handan, Hebei.

Parents & Siblings

Her father is a retired miner, and her mother is a homemaker.

Weili has an elder brother, Zhang Zhiyong, who used to work as a gold trader but eventually left it to support his sister and her career. He has been working in the gym Weili trains for her fights.

Husband & Children

She is unmarried and has no kids.

Relationship/Affairs

Weili is supposedly dating Jackson Wang, a professional magician and model.

Autograph/Signature

Career

Mixed Martial Arts

Early Career

In 2013, Weili Zhang began her professional MMA career. Although her debut saw a unanimous decision loss to Meng Bo, she successfully secured 11 consecutive victories after that. She later challenged Simone Duarte for the Kunlun Fight Female Strawweight Championship at Kunlun Fight MMA 11 on 25 May 2017. She won the fight with a second-round TKO.

Zhang defended her title on 1 June 2017, at Kunlun Fight MMA 12 against Aline Sattelmayer, and won by a unanimous decision. At TOP FC 15, on 22 July 2017, Zhang fought Seo Ye-dam for the unclaimed Top FC Strawweight Championship in an attempt to earn a second championship. She won the title by TKO in the second round.

On 28 August 2017, at Kunlun Fight MMA 14, Zhang faced Marilia Santos and successfully defended her second KLF title. In the second round, she won by a TKO. Before joining the UFC, Zhang competed one more time for KLF, compiling a 16-1 record and continuing her victory streak to 16.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Weili Zhang made her UFC debut on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227, securing a win against Danielle Taylor through a unanimous decision. Later that year, on 24 November 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2, she won against Jessica Aguilar with a first-round submission. Zhang faced Tecia Torres at UFC 235 on 3 March 2019 and won the fight by a unanimous decision.

Strawweight Champion

On 31 August 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157, Weili Zhang competed against Jéssica Andrade for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Zhang won through a first-round technical knockout, earning her the title of strawweight champion, and became the first UFC champion from China. This victory also earned her the “Performance of the Night” bonus award.

 

For her next title defence, Zhang was scheduled to face the former strawweight champion, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, on 7 March 2020, at UFC 248. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions, Zhang moved her training from China first to Thailand, and later to Dubai. The move was made compulsory by TSA rules, which made it compulsory for her to be in a two-week quarantine for non-US citizens, who had recently been in China before entering the United States. Zhang faced multiple challenges in obtaining a US visa for the fight, but on 19 February 2020, she was granted the visa to compete at UFC 248. In a closely contested bout, Zhang defended her title through a split decision. This fight not only earned her the Fight of the Night award but was also declared one of the best fight in women’s MMA history.

In her second title defence, Zhang went up against another former strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, on 24 April 2021, at UFC 261. However, Zhang was defeated in the initial round by a kick to the head and getting a knockout. After the fight, she said,

I’ll pay for Rose to visit China!”

Zhang was defeated by a head-kick

Post Title Reign and Second Title Shot

On 6 November 2021, at UFC 268, Weili Zhang had a rematch with Rose Namajunas. Zhang lost by split decision, with most media scores favouring Namajunas. During an interview, she said,

I have been to New York City once, but I’ve never been to Madison Square Garden. I’m very much looking forward to the fight, and I’m also expecting there will be some Chinese audience that will want to go to cheer me. But I also adjusted my mentality. Even if the audience boos me, I will just think they like me.”

Weili Zhang vs Rose Namajunas at UFC 268

On 11 June 2022, at UFC 275, Zhang faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk again. She trained in Thailand and won with a knockout in the second round. This win gave her two awards, Performance of the Night, and a third-place prize from Crypto.com.

Later, on 12 November 2022, at UFC 281, Zhang fought Carla Esparza for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. She won in the second round and got the Performance of the Night award. After this, she was promoted to a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

On 19 August 2023, Zhang fought Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 and won the fight. She was able to successfully save her title.

Signature Move

Her signature move involves charging in close and unleashing a barrage of punches until her opponent falls down. She often combines it with high-speed attacks from her elbow and knees.

Controversy

Rose Namajunas’s comment on Zhang Weili and Communism

Tensions escalated in the MMA community after Rose Namajunas made controversial remarks about her upcoming opponent, Zhang Weili, during a recent interview with Lithuanian National Radio and Television. In the interview, Namajunas, of Lithuanian-American descent, used the Cold War era anti-communist slogan, “better dead than red,” seemingly in reference to Weili’s Chinese origins. Given China’s communist governance, the statement was perceived by many as an inflammatory jab. Namajunas elaborated on her stance during a subsequent interview with ESPN, adding layers to an already charged atmosphere ahead of their much-anticipated fight. Zhang said,

I saw them then I totally ignored them. I believe as an athlete you have to focus on yourself, and those kinds of comments make no sense… I think it’s a joke” ¹

Rose talks about Weili after their fight

Awards/Titles/Achievements

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

• UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship (Two times)
  

  Weili wins Strawweight Title in 2019

• One successful title defence
  

  Weili saves her title

• First ever Chinese champion in UFC history
  

  World UFC Champion- Gold

• Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

• Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Jéssica Andrade, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and Carla Esparza

• 2020 UFC President’s Choice Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

Kunlun Fight

• KLF Female Strawweight Champion (One time)
  

  Kunlun Fight Strawweight Title Winner- Weili Zhang

• Two successful title defences

• Top Fighting Championship

• Top FC Strawweight Champion (One time)

MMAJunkie.com

• 2020 March Fight of the Month vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

• 2022 June Knockout of the Month vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

• 2022 November submission of the Month vs. Carla Esparza

• 2022 Female Fighter of the Year

• 2022 Comeback Fighter of the Year

World MMA Awards

• 2019 – July 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• 2020 MMA Match of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

MMA Fighting

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

The Athletic

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

Bleacher Report

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

Cageside Press

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk
  

  Fighter of the Year Award 2019-2020

• 2022 Female Fighter of the Year

Sherdog

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

BT Sport

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

• 2022 Female Fighter of the Year

MMA Weekly

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

Combat Press

• 2020 Fight of the Year vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk

ESPN

• 2022 Female Fighter of the Year

Salary/Income

During her debut, she earned $14,000 and $14,000. The UFC introduced a $3,500 incentive system for fight week bonuses, further bolstering her earnings. In 2020, during her bout with Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248, Weili took home a $200,000 guaranteed purse, a $10,000 promotional bonus, and a $100,000 win bonus. The following year, when she faced Rose Namajunas at UFC 261, she secured a guaranteed purse of $250,000 along with a $10,000 promotional bonus. Later in the same year, for her rematch with Namajunas at UFC 268, Weili earned an identical guaranteed purse and promotional bonus. Additionally, she receives thousands of dollars from her brand endorsements, which supplement her fight earnings. For her upcoming fight against Lemos, it is estimated that she will make about $500,000. ²

Net Worth

As of August 2023, Zhang Weili’s net worth is estimated at $2 million. Throughout her career with the UFC, Zhang has earned approximately $859,500. Her biggest payout yet is $380,000, which she earned after her victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 along with a $50,000 bonus. ³

Favourites

• Food: Egg and tomato noodles and Self Made Cake/Bread

• Animal: Panda

• Shows: Spider-Man and Chinese Cartoons

• Martial Artist: Bruce Lee

• UFC Fighters: Ronda Rousey and Tony Ferguson

Facts/Trivia

• Weili Zhang’s nickname “Magnum” is inspired by the .44 Magnum revolver, symbolizing her power and impactful presence in the Octagon.

• In a December 2019 Chinese TV show, she revealed that Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen, especially his 2007 film “Flashpoint”, introduced her to MMA. Additionally, Ronda Rousey’s 2013 fight with Liz Carmouche motivated her to leave her job and fully dedicate herself to MMA. ⁴

• Weili loves to spend her time in the water doing different water sports and surfing.
  

  A picture of Weili surfing

• Apart from her regular martial arts training, she also lifts heavy weights in the gym.
  

  Weili lifting weights

  

  Weili training for UFC 292

• He has pet dogs and a Bengal cat.
  

  Weili with her pet dog

  

  Zhang’s pet cat

  

  Weili with her dogs

  

  Zhang playing with her dog

• After her initial defeat in her MMA debut match, she secured victories in her subsequent 11 fights, culminating in winning the Kunlun Fight Female Strawweight Championship in May 2019 by defeating Simone Duarte.

• She has been the face of the Muscle and Strength Supplement company.
  

  Muscle and Strength supplements promoted by Weili

• The intense fight between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk is often cited as one of history’s best women’s MMA fights.
  

  Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk

• She follows a diet which consists of Non-veg and junk food occasionally.
  

  Weili enjoying her food

• Weili occasionally likes to consume alcohol.
  

  Weili having alcohol

• In an interview, she mentioned that cooking at her home with family helps her relief from being homesick.
  

  Weili loves cooking with her family

• Giving to those in need is something Zhang Weili is widely recognised for. She helped many people in her country at that time who were suffering issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• With her ever-growing strength and hard work, she has been promoted to a Brown Belt holder in Jui-Jitsu.

• In the game, UFC 4, released in 2020, Zhang Weili is a playable character.
  

  Weili Zhang in UFC 4

• In 2020, Zhang became the brand ambassador for Estée Lauder’s makeup line, Double Wear, in China and also appeared in an Audi commercial. The following year, in 2021, she became a global ambassador for Hyperice, a recovery technology company. Additionally, Zhang has endorsement deals with brands like Under Armour, Heilan Home, JingDong, and Wusu Beer.
  

  Weili Zhang in the Estée Lauder ad

1. Lowkick MMA
2. The Sports Daily
3. Essentially Sports
4. YouTube