This article**[China News Network];
**Beijing, January 11 (Reporter Xing Rui) On the 11th, Beijing time, UFC CEO "Dana White" (Dana White) announced through personal social ** that the two Chinese players Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan will face off in the UFC 300 event.
Zhang Weili is the reigning UFC Women's Strawweight World Champion, and Yan Xiaonan is the first Chinese female boxer to sign with the UFC, both of whom have previously performed in competitions. According to the UFC300 schedule, the match will take place in April.
This will be the first time that two Chinese players will compete for the World Title. ”
This matchup promises to be one of the hottest in history.
Zhang Weili currently has a 24-4 record, including 11 knockouts and eight submission wins.
In 2019, Zhang Weili defeated Andrade by TKO and became the first world champion from China in UFC history. The following year, she faced former strawweight champion Joanna in the best matchup in women's MMA history.
After two losses to Rose, Zhang Weili won the rematch with Joanna in 2022 and won the right to challenge for the title. That same year, Zhang Weili submitted Carla Esparza in New York to become the UFC Women's Strawweight Champion for the second time. Zhang Weili defended her title against Amanda Lemos in August last year.
Yan Xiaonan is the first Chinese female boxer to sign with the UFC and currently has a 17-3-1 record, with eight knockout wins.
It is worth mentioning that Yan Xiaonan knocked out Jessica Andrade in the first round at UFC288 in Newark, New Jersey, USA in May last year. After the race, she expressed her desire for the title.
In the next race, I definitely want to challenge for the championship, and I believe that I have the quality to challenge for the championship. Yan Xiaonan said.
Compared to Zhang Weili, for those who are not familiar with mixed martial arts, the name Yan Xiaonan will be a little unfamiliar. In fact, Yan Xiaonan has a lot of experience in the octagonal cage, and his strength should not be underestimated. Her style of martial arts focuses on striking and is excellent with her punches and legs. In terms of growth trajectory, Yan Xiaonan and Zhang Weili also have many similarities.
Yan Xiaonan has been practicing martial arts since childhood, and before signing a contract with the UFC, she also had a difficult "North Drift" experience.
After graduating from university, Yan Xiaonan came to Beijing to work, she worked as a bodyguard, club coach, and even set up a stall to sell toys and marshmallows. By chance, Yan Xiaonan was introduced to mixed martial arts and saw an opportunity to return to the ring from the sport.
I think I'm a good fit for MMA. Before 2012, I played a few MMA fights before I retired, and I only lost once. At that time, MMA was developing very well, and I felt that I could try again, and after a few years of retirement, I had a good rest, and all the injuries on my body recovered. Yan Xiaonan once recalled.
After entering the UFC, Yan Xiaonan had a six-game winning streak, but in May 2021, he lost to the original strawweight champion Esparza and lost the qualification to challenge for the gold. After that, Yan Xiaonan lost to Rodriguez on points and suffered two consecutive defeats.
During those days when no one cared about him, Yan Xiaonan had been training abroad. It wasn't until October 2022 that she defeated Mackenzie Dunn to announce her return and return to the championship race as a candidate.
In today's strawweight division, Zhang Weili maintains absolute dominance. But winning the belt is the ultimate dream of every fighter, and Yan Xiaonan is no exception. She aspires to be a champion, no matter who the opponent is.
As a challenger, Yan Xiaonan has been moving forward on the road of pursuing the championship; As a defender, Zhang Weili also has more ambitious goals.
At the end of last year, Zhang Weili made an appointment with UFC flyweight belt holder Alexa Grasso through personal social **. She says she's willing to move up from strawweight to flyweight.
The news has martial arts fans excited. However, as the dust settles on the next challenger, Zhang Weili's weight promotion plan seems to have to wait a little longer.
According to the current plan, this "China Derby" will be held in Las Vegas on April 14, Beijing time. Whether Zhang Weili can succeed in defending and whether Yan Xiaonan's dream can come true, the answer will be revealed at that time. (ENDS).