The former UFC women’s strawweight champion, Zhang Weili had a rough night in the rematch against two times UFC women’s strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas at the co-main event of UFC 268. The Chinese mixed martial artist faced a second consecutive loss against Namajunas but she will not stop the hunt to win her title back.
Weili faced a knockout loss against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261 in April and now after going back and forth for five rounds the former champion again fell short and faced a split decision loss. Zhang Weili landed a total of 162 significant strikes and secured five out of eleven attempted takedowns.
On the other hand Rose Namajunas landed a total of 130 significant strikes and secured two takedowns. But ‘Thug Rose’ had more ground control time in the fourth and fifth round that resulted in a second consecutive loss for Zhang Weili.
Even after losing the fight again this time, the former champion appeared in good spirit at the post-fight press conference of UFC 268, while talking about her rematch Zhang Weili says, “I feel very good, but it’s a shame I did not win the fight,”
“I think the overall game plan worked well. I just think maybe I did 60 or 70 percent of what I could do. I feel sorry for my coaches because they have done a tremendous job for me in this training camp.” {h/t SCMP MMA}
Zhang Weili is ready to face anyone whom UFC put next in front of her
Zhang Weili moved her training camp to the USA before his rematch against Rose Namajunas and trained with former two-division UFC champion, Henry Cejudo. But now she intends to go back to China for her further training.
Weili added, “I think I will go back to China, and for the next fight I’ll probably come to the US a bit earlier, I would love to come back as soon as UFC arranges it.” Talking about her next opponent ‘Magnum’ added, “I think I’ll just listen to the UFC,”
In the end, she gave Rose Namajunas all the credit to win this fight and vows to face her for the third time to win her title back. Zhang Weili concluded, “Today’s fight was a really close,”
“I think we both gave the best of ourselves. I’m very much looking forward to a rematch with Rose. I believe I’ll get my belt back,” {h/t SCMP MMA}
