UFC 275: Zhang Weili ‘turned down’ chance for 5-round rematch, claims Joanna Jedrzejczyk
- Chinese former strawweight champ insists ‘there’s no big difference’ with Singapore clash limited to 3 rounds
- Zhang says Carla Esparza’s UFC 274 win over Rose Namajunas ‘is good for me and Joanna, to have a chance to challenge for the title again’
Zhang Weili has insisted it makes “no big difference” that her UFC 275 rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Singapore will be limited to just three rounds.
The two former strawweight champions went the full distance over five rounds in their legendary 2020 Fight of the Year, where China’s “Magnum” edged a split decision in Las Vegas to secure her first successful title defence.
But when the South China Morning Post asked Zhang in a virtual press conference whether she would prefer to go 25 minutes again, Jedrzejczyk quickly chimed in first.
“No, she turned down the fight a month ago – she doesn’t want to fight, she doesn’t want to go five rounds,” Jedrzejczyk claimed on Tuesday morning’s Zoom call, from her camp at Florida’s American Top Team gym.
The 34-year-old Pole, who has not fought since her loss to Zhang, later insisted that she is ready to go “three, five or 10 rounds” in Singapore.
