Zhang Weili was born on August 13th, 1989, and currently competes as an elite mixed martial artist from China. She holds two reigns as UFC Women's Strawweight Champion since 2013. Zhang first made her MMA professional debut with Kunlun Fight, where she held onto their Women's Strawweight Champion crown before debuting with UFC Women's Strawweight competition two years later in 2013. At present, she ranks 2nd on UFC women's Pound-for-Pound rankings.
Looking ahead, Weili is set to face Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.
Zhang Weili Age
Zhang Weili is 34 years old. She was born on August 13, 1989.
Zhang Weili was born in Handan, Hebei, China. Her father worked as a miner, her mother was a housewife, and she has an older brother who supports her career. She began her martial arts journey at age 6, studying Shaolin Kung Fu after being inspired by Chinese action movies. In school, she participated in various sports. At 12, she focused on Sanda and Shuai jiao at a specialized martial arts school in Handan. However, injuries led her to leave Sanda.
When Zhang turned 17, she moved to Beijing, taking up various jobs. In 2010, she worked as a fitness instructor at a gym, where she also practiced Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She switched to a front desk role and met her idol, Wu Haotian, who introduced her to Black Tiger Fight Club. There, Coach Cai Xuejun saw her potential and began training her in MMA.
Zhang revealed that Donnie Yen and his film "Flashpoint" ignited her interest in MMA. She was also inspired by Ronda Rousey's fight against Liz Carmouche, which led her to pursue MMA full-time, leaving her previous jobs.
Zhang Weili’s Career in the UFC
Zhang Weili's UFC journey began on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227, where she defeated Danielle Taylor via unanimous decision. She continued her success by submitting Jessica Aguilar in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 on November 24, 2018. Zhang secured another victory by unanimous decision against Tecia Torres at UFC 235 on March 3, 2019.
Her rise continued as she faced Jéssica Andrade for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157. Zhang won via first-round TKO, becoming the first Chinese UFC champion and earning her first Performance of the Night bonus.
Zhang’s first title defense was against Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020. She won a close split decision in a highly regarded fight, earning her first Fight of the Night award. She suffered a knockout loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 on April 24, 2021, losing her title.
In a rematch against Namajunas at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021, Zhang lost again via split decision. She secured a win against Joanna Jędrzejczyk with a knockout via spinning back fist at UFC 275 on June 11, 2022, earning the Performance of the Night and Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" awards.
Regaining her form, Zhang reclaimed the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship by submitting Carla Esparza with a rear-naked choke at UFC 281 on November 12, 2022. This victory earned her the Performance of the Night award and a promotion to Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Zhang had a unanimous decision win against Amanda Lemos on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292.
*Last Updated On March 30, 2024.
FAQs
A. Zhang Weili is 34 years old.
A. Zhang Weili is of Chinese nationality.
A. Zhang Weili is 5 ft 4 in or 1.63 m tall.
A. Yan Xiaonan was the first female mixed martial artist from China to be signed by the UFC.
A. Zhang Weili holds the title of UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.
