UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weilli is full of confidence these days. Weili is currently enjoying her second reign as a UFC champ, and wants to test her skills against the best. One weight division above her is Valentina Shevchenko, the seemingly invincible women’s flyweight champion. Appearing on The MMA Hour, Zhang Weili confirmed that she is looking forward to a “banger” fight against one of the most dangerous women in the sport.
“Yes. It’s a must, for sure. No question. I thought about this a couple of years back. Eventually we will run into each other in the octagon because the weight divisions are so close.
Zhang Weili Looks Forward to “Banger” Fight Vs Shevchenko
I don’t know for sure if I’ll take the belt away from her, but one thing I can guarantee is it’s going to be a banger if me and the champ get in the octagon. It will be a great performance, regardless of the outcome.”
Weili has yet to cement her place at the top of the strawweight division the way Shevchenko has at flyweight, but she’s looking better than ever. Weili’s dominant victory at UFC 281 saw her reclaim the title, armed with some fresh wrestling ability courtesy of her training at Team Alpha Male in the United States.
Although Weili would likely need to take out former champ Rose Namajunas – against whom she is currently 0-2 – to reach Shevchenko’s status, she does not want to stagnate at strawweight, either.
“Maybe. Maybe see what the UFC says and then it’s up in the air. I hope I fight at 125 pounds. I want to put on a great performance at 125, I don’t to want to go in just to be at 125.”
Weili, ever the competitor, had nothing but praise for her potential opponent. Valentina Shevchenko has looked all but unbeatable for years now, with only two losses to Amanda Nunes – arguably the greatest female fighter on the planet – marring her UFC record. Weili wants to test herself against the best, and a complete martial artists like Shevchenko would be exactly that.
“Also, because she’s such a great martial artist, I’m willing to step into the octagon with her to learn from her, to share the female fighting spirit in there because she’s one of the best in the world. My opponent adjusts myself. My opponent is still myself. It’s not the person I’m facing, but rather the person I am.”
How do you think Zhang Weili would fare against “Bullet” Valentina? Let us know in the comments.
