UFC 261: Zhang Weili fires first salvo at Rose Namajunas, says she will bring ‘more weapons’

Zhang Weili believes the world will see her closer to her “full potential” when the Chinese strawweight champion returns to the Octagon to defend her title against another former champ in America’s Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 24.

It’s a scary thought, given the Chinese star’s record reads 21-1, she’s on a 5-0 run with the UFC, and she’s coming off a victory in what is widely believed to be the best fight the women’s side of MMA has ever seen, against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. But the word from Zhang was that the world should still expect the unexpected, once again.

“I know that anything could happen [against Namajunas],” Zhang said on Tuesday. “It will end up being decided by who has the more weapons in the Octagon. I will bring more weapons.”

Zhang was speaking for the first time since the long-awaited clash with Namajunas (9-4) was officially confirmed by the UFC. That announcement came on March 9 after months of back-room negotiations but now the path has been cleared and two of the biggest hitters in the women’s side of the fight game can clear all outside distractions and focus entirely on each other, and what looms as a Fight of the Year contender.

“Everything is now moving smoothly and I’m excited about this fight with Rose,” Zhang told SCMP MMA. “Since my last title defence Rose has been on my mind as my ideal opponent. I’m very happy. She has great footwork and boxing skills. I have been preparing specifically for her skill set. During that fight [vs Jedrzejczyk] my eagerness to win took me to a whole new level, closer to my full potential. Now I am ready to move closer to my full potential [against Namajunas].”

Once things kick off between the pair – in front of the UFC’s first live audience in the US since the global pandemic closed doors on attendance last May – it will have been more than 12 months since the 30-year-old Weili last fired a shot in anger.