Weili Zhang Wants Coaches’ Visa Issues Resolved Before Fighting Outside China Again

As the first Chinese champion in the history of the promotion, Weili Zhang could be a boon for the UFC as it continues to make inroads in the world’s most populous nation.

But before Zhang returns to her home country to fight, UFC president Dana White would like her to defend the strawweight crown in the United States. Zhang has no issues with that, as long as her team is able to accompany her on that journey. However, she also admits she has dreams of headlining a pay-per-view in China.

“Yes, I would like to get on a pay-per-view event, but I also want a pay-per-view event to hold in China. This is my wish. If Dana wants me to fight in the U.S., it’ll be fine, but please get all my corners’ visas down,” Zhang said through a translator following UFC Fight Night 157 in Shenzhen, China, on Saturday. Last time, several corners couldn’t come because of visa issues.”

Zhang credited her team for devising a game plan to defeat Jessica Andrade in Saturday’s headliner. “Magnum” stopped her Brazilian foe via technical knockout in just 42 seconds, and she says her corner’s presence is critical to her peace of mind.

Thus far during her promotional tenure, Zhang has fought twice in China and twice in the United States. Perhaps it is no coincidence that both of her UFC finishes occurred on home soil.

“I felt so excited to win the title. It is like a fantastic dream coming true. I think the keys to my win were my calm mindset and the strategy defined by my coaches,” she said. “All the strategies were practical, predicted each important point, and helped me seize every opportunity. Also, I did a great job in adjusting my mindset. When I fought overseas, my team was not there with me because of visa issues. But I performed well last year in Beijing, and I won the belt this year in Shenzhen, since all my coaches are here with me, supporting me.”

Prior to UFC Shenzhen, White said it was difficult to find an opponent to face Zhang, who has now won 20 consecutive fights. The newly-crowned champion believes she will have no such issues going now that gold is wrapped around her waist.

“I think they all want to fight me because I’m a champion,” Zhang said. “I can defend [the belt] several times, maybe for a long time, because I know all my opponents very well. I can beat them.”