Zhang Weili Wants “Fight With Carla Esparza In Abu Dhabi.. So It’s Fair For Both”

'Magnum' suggested an idea she deemed to be fair for 'The Cookie Monster' and herself

Zhang Weili, Carla Esparza
Credit: UFC, Carla Esparza (via YouTube & Twitter)

Zhang Weili spoke about the possible location for her expected title fight with Carla Esparza.

This past Saturday, Weili got back to winning ways in her rematch against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275. Weili knocked out the iconic Polish fighter with a spinning backfist in the second round. She was reeling off two consecutive defeats to Rose Namajunas going into the bout.

Stakes were high as UFC President Dana White had indicated that the winner of the match would get a shot at the gold.

Zhang Weili recommends location for fight with Carla Esparza

Weili is now expected to face the UFC Women’s Strawweight champion, Carla Esparza following her win over Jedrzejczyk. While no official announcements have come immediately after the event, ‘Magnum’ talked to the media about the title fight during the post-fight press conference.

She suggested a location for the bout that she believes would be fair for both fighters through her interpreter.

“I want fight with Carla in Abu Dhabi because I know there’s a fight there in October. I think Carla is a special fighter, too, and I know that can be a really good fight. Also, for me and for her – not China or the U.S. So we can fight in another country, so it’s fair for both of us.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Jedrzejczyk was returning to action after a two-year hiatus. Her latest outing prior to the rematch was also against Weili in March 2020. The Pole icon announced her retirement from the sport after the loss.

‘Magnum’ believes Esparza will be a tough matchup

Weili talked about how she would fare in a contest against ‘The Cookie Monster’. The 32-year-old Chinese fighter acknowledged the 115-lbs queen’s talents and said that she would need to work on her grappling abilities to better her chances of securing the strap.

“I think there’s no weak fighter in the top rankings. So if I’m fighting Carla, I need to improve my grappling, my BJJ, my wrestling. There’s nothing I need to specially care for. I just need to improve myself. MMA is over all sports, so I don’t think we can have any disadvantage, so I want to be a well-rounded fighter.”

Esparza took the title from Rose Namajunas last month in a rematch eight years separated from the first. Weili will be looking to reclaim the championship after becoming the first Chinese champion in the promotion.

Published on June 12, 2022 at 2:57 pm
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