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Nicolas Atkin

UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is set to grant Zhang Weili’s desire for an immediate rematch, with the bout reportedly in the works.
The promotion has not confirmed the fight, but according to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani it is being targeted for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Former ESPN reporter Helwani, now of MMA Fighting and BT Sport, wrote in a Substack post that the UFC is “leaning towards” the rematch, but that it is “very far from done”.
“Thug Rose” is certainly preparing to make the first title defence of her second reign as champ – she began her training camp on Wednesday, according to an Instagram post from her management, Sucker Punch Entertainment.




















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A post shared by Brian Butler-Au (@suckerpunchent)



The post showed a video of the 29-year-old Lithuanian-American (10-4) hitting pads with head trainer Trevor Wittman, accompanied by the text, “So this is day 1 of camp”.
Namajunas claimed the strawweight belt from China’s Zhang (21-2) via a stunning first-round head kick at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida – the first event back in front of a full crowd in the US since the start of the pandemic.

The 32-year-old Zhang protested the referee’s stoppage, and called for an immediate rematch after the April 24 loss at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Third-ranked Carla Esparza (18-6) had seemingly thrown her name into the hat for the next shot against Namajunas with a dominant second-round TKO of Zhang’s compatriot, Yan Xiaonan. (13-2) in May.
Mexican-American Esparza also beat Namajunas via third-round rear-naked choke on The Ultimate Fighter season 20 finale in December 2014 to become the inaugural strawweight champion.

“The Cookie Monster” lost the title to Poland’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-4) in her first defence, however, and then suffered defeat in three of her next six fights.
But Esparza has rebounded with a five-fight win streak to put herself firmly back in title contention, and had also been preparing to fight “Magnum” Zhang at UFC 261 before Namajunas accepted the fight.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC ‘leaning towards’ Rose Namajunas vs Zhang Weili rematch, champ back in training camp

Rose Namajunas celebrates after beating Zhang Weili to claim the strawweight title at UFC 261. Photo: AFP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 22: (L-R) Carla Esparza punches Yan Xiaonan of China in their women's strawweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

JACKSONVILLE, FL - APRIL 24: Rose Namajunas of the United States celebrates after beating Zhang Weili of China during the Women's Strawweight Title bout of UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 24, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. Alex Menendez/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

UFC: Jon Jones heavyweight stock continues to drop as division moves on to Gane vs Ngannou French superfight

Is Jon Jones fading away? Photo: AFP

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Jon Jones looks on prior to a fight against Daniel Cormier in the Light Heavyweight title bout during UFC 214 at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 07: Ciryl Gane speaks during the post fight press conference after defeating Derrick Lewis for the Heavyweight title belt during UFC 265 at Toyota Center on August 7, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images /AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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Rashad Evans poses after his UFC Hall of Fame induction. Photo: Instagram/@sugarrashadevans

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2013, file photo, Rashad Evans, left, and Chael Sonnen trade punches during a mixed martial arts bout in Las Vegas. Sonnen will fight Wanderlei Silva on June 24, 2017, at Madison Square Garden when the Bellator mixed martial arts promotion makes its New York debut. The bout will headline just the second pay-per-view show in Bellator history. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File)

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Strawweight title rematch is reportedly in the works for the fourth quarter of 2021
American Namajunas begins preparations for first defence after beating China’s Zhang in July



Rose Namajunas begins preparations for first UFC strawweight title defence with a rematch against China’s Zhang Weili reportedly in the works for fourth quarter of 2021.


UFC ‘leaning towards’ Rose Namajunas vs Zhang Weili rematch, champ back in training camp

Strawweight title rematch is reportedly in the works for the fourth quarter of 2021 American Namajunas begins preparations for first defence after beating China’s Zhang in July

Strawweight title rematch is reportedly in the works for the fourth quarter of 2021

American Namajunas begins preparations for first defence after beating China’s Zhang in July