JANUARY 3, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
ZHANG WEILI WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
19 WIN •
1 LOSS •
- KO
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
19 WIN
1 LOSS
- KO
Video: Was our 2022 Female Fighter of the Year pick a slam dunk? The UFC’s Zhang Weili was our 2022 Female Fighter of the Year. Did we get it right? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel debates the options.
Video: Dramatic taps teed up for UFC's most scintillating submissions of 2022 The UFC has narrowed its list of top 2022 submission candidates down to a four-tapout shortlist.
DECEMBER 31, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Why Zhang Weili won Women's MMA Fighter of the Year over Amanda Nunes in 2022 for Sporting News Zhang Weili sought revenge in 2022. Powered by a Fight of the Year rematch and a dominant performance to reclaim the strawweight title she l...
DECEMBER 27, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
MMA Junkie's Female Fighter of the Year: Zhang Weili Zhang Weili has been named MMA Junkie’s Female Fighter of 2022 after going 2-0 and reclaiming the strawweight title.
DECEMBER 21, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Carla Esparza at peace with Zhang Weili loss, vows she's 'not done in this fight game' Carla Esparza will take some time off after losing her UFC strawweight title, but she’s not done yet.
DECEMBER 9, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Yazmin Jauregui doesn't see UFC champ Zhang Weili being dethroned 'until it's our turn' Yazmin Jauregui expects Zhang Weili to be champion for a while
DECEMBER 2, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
MMA Junkie's Submission of the Month for November: Zhang Weili's title-winning choke With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submission from November 2022.
NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Zhang Weili doesn't understand why 'poor' Carla Esparza was booed at UFC 281: 'I was so surprised' Zhang Weili, from China, was caught off guard by Carla Esparza, who’s American, being booed at Madison Square Garden.
NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Henry Cejudo: Zhang Weili should face Rose Namajunas next over 'dangerous' Amanda Lemos Beating Rose Namajunas matters more to UFC champ Zhang Weili’s legacy, so that’s what Henry Cejudo would like to see.
NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Zhang Weili not surprised by Carla Esparza in UFC 281 title win: 'This fight played out exactly what we expect' Zhang Weili expected it all.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
UFC 281 results: Zhang Weili wins back title with unusual rear-naked choke submission of Carla Esparza Weili Zhang is back atop the UFC women’s strawweight throne.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Twitter reacts to Zhang Weili's title-winning submission of Carla Esparza at UFC 281 See the top Twitter reactions to Zhang Weili’s title win over Carla Esparza in the UFC 281 co-main event.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Zhang Weili Wins Back 115-Pound U.F.C. Championship Zhang regained the women’s strawweight championship that she had previously lost.
NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • NYTIMES.COM
UFC 281 discussion thread UFC 281, featuring Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira and Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili, takes place Saturday in New York. Discuss it here.
NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
UFC 281 video: Carla Esparza, Zhang Weili face off one last time before strawweight title bout Watch the final faceoff between women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza and former titleholder Zhang Weili before UFC 281 in New York.
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
UFC 281 predictions: Who are we picking in the two title fights in New York? Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC 281 main card, featuring Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira and Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili.
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Video: Does Carla Esparza have a shot at defending the title against Zhang Weili at UFC 281? Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses the chances of Carla Esparza retaining the strawweight title at UFC 281.
NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
UFC 281 faceoff: Zhang Weili hears chants from crowd during staredown with Carla Esparza Reigning champion Carla Esparza and former champ Zhang Weili had their first UFC 281 faceoff at the pre-fight press conference.
NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Zhang Weili Not Threatened By Carla Esparza's Skills Ahead Of UFC 281 | Fightful News Former UFC strawweight champion, Zhang Weili, explained why she doesn't fear current champ, Carla Esparza's skills at all ahead of UFC 281.
NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • FIGHTFUL.COM
Carla Esparza on Zhang Weili before UFC 281: 'It doesn't really matter what she thinks or fears' Being doubted is nothing new for UFC champ Carla Esparza, who is feeling confident as an underdog against Zhang Weili.
NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Big favorite Zhang Weili says she has no fear of Carla Esparza in UFC 281 title fight She may be the challenger at UFC 281 on Saturday, but former women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili is brimming with confidence.
NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
After 'bummer' over Rose Namajunas, UFC champ Carla Esparza 'excited to put it all on the line' vs. Zhang Weili Carla Esparza is hoping her title defense at UFC 281 against Zhang Weili can erase the criticism of her title win over Rose Namajunas.
NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
UFC 281: Make your predictions for Adesanya vs. Pereira, Esparza vs. Weili title fights We want your predictions for UFC 281 in New York with Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira and Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili title fights.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
