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Published 20:08 IST, October 18th 2019

UFC Strawweight Champion Weili offers to mend US-China relations

Zhang Weili has recently become the first China fighter to win a UFC belt. Know more about the strawweight champion's views on improving US-China relations.

Reported by: Raj Sarkar
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The current UFC Women’s Strawweight champion Zhang Weili feels that she can use her title belt for much greater things such as improving foreign relations of her country. Weili is the first Chinese fighter to hold a UFC belt and China is thrilled to have their first champion in a US-based martial arts league. Weili stepped inside the Octagon against the Brazilian Jessica Andrade at the UFC Fight Night 157 and successfully knocked her out in the very first bout. After becoming a champion, Weili is now focussed on improving the international ties between China and the USA through sports.

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UFC: Weili’s thoughts on international ties

UFC is undoubtedly the largest martial art organisation in the world but it is facing steady competition in the Asian market after the inception of ‘ONE Championship’. In the meantime, UFC has managed to gain a steady number of Asian viewers after Zhang Weili became the first Chinese fighter to get her hands on the UFC gold. Currently, Weili is in the United States for a promotional tour and she has been granted a visa finally after becoming a UFC Champion. The 30 year old has often vented her frustration on social media for not getting a US visa in the past and it seems that her championship belt is finally turning the tables around. In a recent interview with a sports magazine, the Strawweight champion expressed her thoughts on sports and international ties. She feels that sport is the best thing that can improve relations between the two countries and hopefully she will bridge the gap between China and the USA.

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UFC: Zhang’s opponents

Zhang has shown her urge to fight the current flyweight champion Valentina a lot of times and UFC might book that fight in future. However, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has recently called out Weili and but she has shown no interest in the fight. Instead, she has her eyes fixed upon Valentina and she is aiming to become a double champ in future. Though Valentina feels that Zhang needs to prove more before getting a bout against her.

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18:31 IST, October 18th 2019