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Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

UFC: Zhang Weili already back training at Bangtao, ready to ‘start a new journey’ as she bids for belt

  • Days removed from a stunning knockout win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275 in Singapore, Zhang is already back on the mats in Phuket
  • Former strawweight champion says she is ‘ready to go’ with title fight against Carla Esparza seemingly already in the pipeline

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Zhang Weili skips at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA in Phuket, Thailand. Photo: Weibo/Zhang Weili
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Weili Zhang is already back to training, and her fans in China are making sure she feels supported.

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The Chinese MMA superstar returned to the Octagon at UFC 275 last Sunday in Singapore, scoring a highlight-reel knockout over the retiring Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The victory cemented her as the strawweight division’s No 1 contender, and she is expected to receive a shot at champion Carla Esparza later this year.

Zhang did much of her training for UFC 275 at the new Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA facility in Phuket, Thailand, and just days removed from her big win at the event, she has already returned to the beachside gym.

Zhang Weili of China celebrates after her knockout victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland at UFC 275 in Singapore. Photo: Zuffa LLC
Zhang Weili of China celebrates after her knockout victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland at UFC 275 in Singapore. Photo: Zuffa LLC

“All the dust settled,” Zhang wrote on China’s Twitter-like social media platform Weibo after returning to Phuket, alongside pictures of her working out with a skipping rope.

“Ready to go. Ready to start a new journey.”

Zhang’s brief post generated a wave of support from her loyal fans in China, who will follow along closely as she prepares to challenge Esparza for the belt.

“The 3.0 version of Weili has been launched, and you will definitely be able to get your golden belt back,” one fan wrote.

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