Weili Zhang is confident she will defend her belt for the second time at UFC 261.
In the three-title fight pay-per-view card, Zhang is set to return for the first time in over a year as she faces Rose Namajunas. It’s a very intriguing matchup with many thinking Namajunas is the more technical striker while Zhang has more power. However, the champion believes she is more well-rounded and has more weapons to win this fight.
“I know that anything could happen [against Namajunas],” Zhang said on Tuesday to SCMP MMA. “It will end up being decided by who has the more weapons in the Octagon. I will bring more weapons.”
Since beating Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in March of 2020, Zhang knew Namajunas would be her next opponent. She is excited about the challenge as the former champ is an excellent striker, but Zhang is ready to prove to everyone just how good she is and can be.
“Everything is now moving smoothly and I’m excited about this fight with Rose,” Zhang said. “Since my last title defense Rose has been on my mind as my ideal opponent. I’m very happy. She has great footwork and boxing skills. I have been preparing specifically for her skill set. During that fight [vs Jedrzejczyk] my eagerness to win took me to a whole new level, closer to my full potential. Now I am ready to move closer to my full potential [against Namajunas].”
Although Zhang believes she has more weapons to win this fight, she doesn’t know how she gets the job done. She wouldn’t be surprised if the fight touches all aspects of MMA but Zhang is extremely confident in her skill set.
“I cannot predict the outcome at the moment but I have done enough homework on her boxing, her kicking, and her wrestling. I know that anything could happen,” Zhang said. “What I learned in my last fight is you can never foresee your full potential. One’s potential is unlimited.”
Weili Zhang enters her UFC 261 title defense on a 21-fight winning streak as she is 21-1 as a pro but lost her pro debut.
Do you think Weili Zhang will beat Rose Namajunas at UFC 261?
