Tag: Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 312 co-main event

Oddsmakers are favoring Zhang Weili to defend gold and hand Tatiana Suarez her first loss at UFC 312.

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] will look to hand [autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag] her first loss in the UFC 312 co-main event.

Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez preview

Since dominating Carla Esparza to recapture the strawweight title at UFC 281 in November 2022, Weili has defended her title two times with unanimous decision wins over Amanda Lemos and Yan Xiaonan.

Suarez will earn her first-career title shot after going unbeaten in the octagon – including wins over former champions Esparza, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade. She was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba at UFC 310, but the bout was scrapped due to undisclosed reasons.

Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez odds

Despite Suarez’s dominance in the octagon, oddsmakers are favoring Weili to retain her title. According to FanDuel, Weili is a moderate -225 favorite over standout wrestler Suarez, who’s a +172 underdog.

How to watch Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312

  • When: Saturday, February 8, 2025
  • Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.

Yan Xiaonan wants Zhang Weili UFC strawweight title rematch ‘any time, any place’

After picking up a win at UFC Macau, Yan Xiaonan is eager to run it back with Zhang Weili for the strawweight title.

[autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] wants another crack at [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] and her UFC strawweight title.

Yan (19-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) returned to action for the first time since coming up short in her first bid at Weili’s title in April at UFC 300. It was a successful shutout decision performance against Tabatha Ricci (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau.

Thrilled with the victory and the opportunity to fight close to home, Yan nearly missed the opportunity make a call out. As Michael Bisping began wrapping up the interview, Yan grabbed the mic and delivered an emphatic call out of the champion, who was sitting cageside.

“Weili, I want a rematch!” Yan said through an interpreter during her in-octagon post-fight interview. “I want to get the belt back. Are you ready?”

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Weili was shown on camera responding to the call out and waved Yan on. Weili, who has two title defenses under her belt, has not fought since defeating Yan at UFC 300 and does not have her next fight set.

If it were up to Yan, she would get the next shot in a rematch, and her only preference would be for the fight to take place in her home country, which would be an amazing atmosphere for the China vs. China title showdown.

“Any time, any place,” Yan said through an interpreter during a post-fight interview with UFC.com. “But hopefully, it will be a pay-per-view event in China.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Tatiana Suarez confident she could impose her will against Zhang Weili: ‘My grappling is very, very good’

Tatiana Suarez thinks she has what it takes to dethrone UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili.

[autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag] thinks she has what it takes to dethrone UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag].

Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) notched her second title defense when she defeated Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 earlier this month. The champion has been cruising to victories as of late, and Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) looks forward to the challenge if she’s next in line.

“I’m really excited to fight Weili when given the opportunity because she’s had a couple of dominant performances, and I really want to test myself,” Suarez told MMA Junkie Radio.

Although Weili won four of the five rounds against Xiaonan, Xiaonan had her moments on the feet and was credited with three takedowns. However, that didn’t necessarily make Suarez grow in confidence. The undefeated standout wrestler already believed she had the style to beat Weili.

“I think prior to that matchup, I kind of know how I would do,” Suarez said. “It showed just a little bit more of her game and things like that. I thought she did well. She was able to capitalize like I knew she would. I knew she would win in the grappling department just because Yan is just not good at all on the ground. I have nothing against her but she’s – I mean she’s a phenomenal striker, but she’s not good on the ground at all.

“So I knew that Weili would be able to outgrapple her, and Yan not being a wrestler, actually got a couple of takedowns if I can remember. …S he didn’t mean to. I think they just engaged and she threw her to the ground or something. Just seeing that just shows me that I think I could impose my will against her, and my grappling is very, very good. I think I’d do well just like I’ve always known.”

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Tatiana Suarez campaigns for title shot vs. Zhang Weili at UFC 306: ‘I get a submission 100 percent’

Tatiana Suarez thinks it only makes sense for her to get the next title opportunity.

[autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag] thinks it only makes sense for her to get the next title opportunity.

After [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) retained her strawweight title against Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300, Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was bumped up to the No. 1 spot in the promotion’s official rankings.

Undefeated Suarez is 2-0 since returning from an almost four-year long layoff due to injury, scoring submissions of Montana De La Rosa at flyweight, then a submission of former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade. Based on the landscape at 115 pounds, Suarez sees herself as the rightful title contender.

“They need someone to to fight for that title, and why not somebody who’s undefeated, has an amazing story, strong grappler, and something that she really hasn’t faced yet?” Suarez told ESPN. “(She needs to fight) a tall, long, rangy person that actually has very good jiu-jitsu and wrestling – something that she’s really developed, and now she’s beating everybody with her wrestling.

“So why not put her against somebody that could do just that? Not only that, but I’m undefeated in the division. You don’t have anybody in the division that’s undefeated at the top, so I think that it just makes a fun, fun matchup, and I hope that it happens.”

Weili has relied on her grappling in some of her recent wins, but Suarez is confident that she finishes the champion if the fight hits the ground.

“I think I get a submission, 100 percent,” Suarez said. “I think I will sub her – either a submission or a TKO.”

Suarez is willing to face Weili in China, or preferably at the highly anticipated UFC 306 event Sept. 16 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

“I heard they’re going be in China in August, but that’s not a pay-per-view card,” Suarez said. “So I don’t know if maybe in September at the Sphere – that’d be amazing, especially because I am Mexican, and that’d be a good fight to have.

“Knowing Weili, she might spit out some things in Spanish and just make it even better. Everybody’s going to love her and everybody’s going to like me,  and so then it’ll be a great fight to have on the card.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.

Yan Xiaonan recounts dangerous UFC 300 rear-naked choke sequence: ‘I was close but not completely out’

The UFC 300 co-main event’s Round 1 conclusion sparked much discussion when it appeared Zhang Weili may have put Yan Xiaonan unconscious.

[autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] was visibly dazed and woozy as she rose to her feet at the end of Round 1 during the UFC 300 co-main event but says at no point was she totally unconscious.

Caught in a [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] rear-naked choke attempt, Xiaonan (17-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was saved by the bell then struggled to get to her corner. Referee Jason Herzog took a close look but didn’t deem the title challenger unable to continue.

“I was close, but not completely out,” Xiaonan told MMA Junkie on Wednesday through a translator. “I saw the clock on the cage side and knew there were only a few seconds left. I signaled to the referee that I was OK, but with only one hand to defend, the choke was tightening. When the bell rang, I knew I had to stand up to show I could continue. I was wobbly but managed to make it to my corner.”

The unusual sequence and the officiating that accompanied it frenzied some viewers. When Xiaonan’s cornerman pressed his finger under her nose, UFC 300 commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan mentioned on the broadcast the possibility of smelling salt being used – though they later clarified they ultimately did not think it transpired, after all.

“He put his finger under my nose and pressed,” Xiaonan said. “Honestly, I was so focused on my cornermen talking that I didn’t notice much else. And I also asked my corner which round is next? Second? Because I kind of couldn’t remember it at that moment.”

For now, Xiaonan hits the reset button. What the oddsmakers listed as a likely lopsided affair turned out to be a competitive contest that earned her props from many around the MMA community, including UFC CEO Dana White.

Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) went on to win by unanimous decision. The next move hasn’t been figured out, but Xiaonan maintains her enthusiasm coming out of her first UFC title challenge.

“I’ll keep training and fighting the top contenders the UFC gives me, with the goal of fighting for the title again,” Xiaonan said. “And, if the UFC considers a women’s BMF belt, count me in!”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC 300 review, Holloway wins BMF title, Makhachev & McGregor return, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses the fallout of UFC 300 including, Holloway’s BMF win, McGregor’s return, and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate everything around UFC 300:

  • The UFC reached its 300th pay-per-view event, a big milestone for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Where does this massive event rank in UFC history? On paper, it was a great card, and it delivered as promised.
  • [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] arguably made the biggest statement on Saturday night. The former UFC featherweight champion knocked out [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] in brutal fashion with one second remaining in the fight for the BMF title. So what’s next for Holloway? Should he stay at 155 pounds or go back to 145? Holloway has many options after this career-defining win.
  • On top of Holloway’s win, there were several other important lightweight bouts, as well as other lightweight bookings announced: [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] defeated former champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] stopped Jalin Turner and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] picked apart Jim Miller. Additionally, the [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] title defense vs. [autotag]Dutin Poirier[/autotag] was made official, along with the return of [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], who faces lightweight standout [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in a welterweight bout. Big news and results that heavily impact the UFC lightweight division.
  • In the main event of UFC 300, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] successfully defended his light heavyweight belt for the very first time, knocking out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. It was a huge win for the Brazilian, who requested a heavyweight fight in a quick turnaround at UFC 301 in Brazil next month.
  • In the other undisputed title fight, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] defended her UFC strawweight belt against fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]. It was a solid showing by Weili, who logged the second title defense of her second championship reign.
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] made a huge splash on Saturday night. In a dominant showing, she submitted former champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag], a victory that even caught the attention of former two-division UFC champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]. What’s next for Harrison? Is she a future UFC champion? We unpack it all.
  • Lastly, several other big storylines went down at UFC 300. The panel quickly reviews [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s featherweight debut, [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s submission win, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]’ most recent first-round finish and more.

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UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Headliner Jamahal Hill works on a slick 1/1 piece of memorabilia

In the fourth episode of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Jamahal Hill gets autographs from the fighters on the card – including his champ opponent.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) puts that belt on the line for the first time against former champ [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who vacated the title six months after he won it due to injury.

In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). The bout is the first all-China title fight in UFC history.

The “BMF” belt is on the line between current titleholder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and former longtime featherweight champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC), who is moving up to lightweight for the bout.

Plus, UFC 300 features the promotional debut of two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) and five other former UFC champions on arguably the most stacked card in company history.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Bobby Green, Charles Oliveira, Xiaonan Yan and Jamahal Hill carve out time to train. Holly Holm goes coffee hunting. Fighter check in at UFC Apex, and headliner Hill gets autographs – including one from foe Alex Pereira.

Also watch:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Zhang Weili sizes up Yan Xiaonan before UFC 300, impressed with growth as mixed martial artist

UFC champ Zhang Weili sees some major improvements in Yan Xiaonan’s overall game.

LAS VEGAS – UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] sees major improvements in [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]’s game.

Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defends her title against Xiaonan (17-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the promotion’s first all-Chinese title fight, Weili is honored to represent her country on the big stage.

“This is another fight for me, but on the other hand, this also means so much for the MMA sport’s development and growth in China,” Weili told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s media day.

Xiaonan is coming off back-to-back wins over Mackenzie Dern, followed by a knockout of Jessica Andrade. Weili has been especially impressed with Xiaonan’s physicality.

“I see that Xiaonan has grown a lot,” Weili said. “especially in her strength, as well as her grappling, on the ground, everything.”

Weili recently made a camp switch over to Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas to work with coach John Wood, which has led to dominant title wins over Carla Esparza and Amanda Lemos.

“We actually started working together since my fight with Carla, so we’ve been working together for a while,” Weili said. “I think he’s super smart, and we align on our vision, our style, how to train together. So, it’s been a very good work experience.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: ‘Just win, baby’

In the third installment of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Max Holloway gets a VIP tour of the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) puts that belt on the line for the first time against former champ [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who vacated the title six months after he won it due to injury.

In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). The bout is the first all-China title fight in UFC history.

The “BMF” belt is on the line between current titleholder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and former longtime featherweight champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC), who is moving up to lightweight for the bout.

Plus, UFC 300 features the promotional debut of two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) and five other former UFC champions on arguably the most stacked card in company history.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Alex Pereira teaches Nina Drama footwork. Diego Lopes shops from the shoes up. Calvin Kattar stays sharp. Max Holloway tours a Vegas landmark. Kayla Harrison, Bo Nickal and champ Zhang Weili get in PI time. Justin Gaethje appreciates his team.

Also watch:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

UFC 300 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: Kayla Harrison arrives in Las Vegas, finds peace and quiet

On the second episode of UFC 300 “Embedded,” Kayla Harrison is in a calm state before a hectic fight week gets started.

One of the most highly anticipated fight weeks in UFC history is here with UFC 300, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) puts that belt on the line for the first time against former champ [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who vacated the title six months after he won it due to injury.

In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). The bout is the first all-China title fight in UFC history.

The “BMF” belt is on the line between current titleholder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and former longtime featherweight champ [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC), who is moving up to lightweight for the bout.

Plus, UFC 300 features the promotional debut of two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against former women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) and five other former UFC champions on arguably the most stacked card in company history.

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill and more take in UFC Fight Night. Champion Alex Pereira gets a sendoff from his team. Diego Lopes, Justin Gaethje and Kayla Harrison explore Las Vegas. Bo Nickal wraps up camp in PA, while Max Holloway hits the PI.

Also watch:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.