Weili Zhang Ready To Dethrone Rose Namajunas And Rewrite Her Name In History Books

This Saturday, we will be witnessing another David and Goliath clash when China’s Weili Zhang collides with Rose Namajunas for UFC Strawweight Championship.

At UFC 261 Zhang lost her title and saw her first defeat in seven years, at the hands of  Rose Namajunas. After the fight, Zhang took to Instagram and congratulated Rose Namajunas on her victory and vowed to come back stronger. The ‘Magnum’ is visualizing Georges St-Pierre’s tenure as a champion, citing that people only remember those champions who rise after a slight tumble on their way to greatness.

Talking to UFC.com, the Chinese Iron Lady said, “I think people are looking forward to seeing how you stand up when you fall down. Of course, I also look forward to that.” when asked if she was ready for her rematch with Namajunas. “Because the last fight, I felt like it was over before it even started. In fact, in terms of techniques, no one has really demonstrated it. I hope this time we can show some real techniques. I think this rematch will definitely be an exciting fight; it will definitely display techniques in the form of being more comprehensive and complete.”

Zhang was pretty honest with the assessment of her last outing in the Octagon. Namajunas meant business that night and didn’t allow Zhang to settle down, scoring a knockout in a little more than a minute into the fight. Now with the ‘Magnum’ getting a second crack at ‘Thug Rose’, she is all geared up to cash in the opportunity.

For her rematch with Namajunas, Zhang moved her fight camp to Arizona, collaborating with former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. Zhang was full of praise for the ‘Triple C’ and sought to inculcate a few of the former champion’s attributes in her.

“I learned a lot about wrestling here,” Zhang said. “I learned a lot of wrestling techniques with Henry, as well as distance control, mind game, and something about mental toughness. I think it all makes me stronger.”

Cejudo also returned the favor branding Zhang as a machine. Cejudo believes that Zhang just needs to calm down a bit and wait for her moments as she has all the essentials of a great Champion.

Triple C stated, “She really is a machine. She’s the type of girl you want to slow down. She’s the type of girl you really have to slow down, and I mean that. She’s the type of girl that will pick up on things so quick. So, so quick. Like within a week. I’m just talking to captain Eric (Albarracin), and I’m like, ‘Dude, this is not normal.”

The ‘Magnum’ is still facing some problems communicating in the US, but she is hopeful that she will soon be better able to interact with her peers here in this part of the world as she is taking some time to improve this aspect as well.

Zhang is looking forward to putting on a show for her fans this Saturday and reclaiming what she believes belongs to her. She is confident that we will not be seeing the same  Weili Zhang  who walked to the Octagon in April. The change of mindset and the time spent with the likes of ‘Triple C’ has really rejuvenated her and on Saturday night , she will be ready to pounce on her prey.