5 UFC prospects to watch in 2019

#5 Weili Zhang

Could Weili Zhang be the UFC's first Chinese title contender?

If you go back a few years – to 2014 to be exact – it would’ve been laughable to suggest that China would produce a UFC title contender at any point in the near future. TUF China had been a disaster, and the likes of Lipeng Zhang and Sai Wang simply didn’t look ready for UFC competition. But things have changed a lot since then – Jingliang Li has ushered in a new era of Chinese fighters, and Strawweight Weili Zhang is clearly the best of the bunch.

‘Magnum’ debuted in the UFC in 2018 with a record of 16-1, but nobody could really have expected her to do as well as she did. UFC 227 saw her matched with the diminutive but tough Danielle Taylor – a fighter who’s been a difficult opponent for anyone – and yet Zhang comfortably outpointed her for a decision. Most recently, she dispatched former top-ranked Jessica Aguilar with a first-round armbar.

Zhang looks like an extremely well-rounded fighter, with solid cardio and dangerous skills in all areas. She’s booked to face Tecia Torres in March – a fight which should prove whether she’s got the skill level to compete with the elite at 115lbs. Judging on what she’s done so far it should be interesting to see her try.