See the pros react to Weili Zhang securing her twentieth straight win — to claim the UFC women’s strawweight championship from Jessica Andrade.
In 42 seconds, China had its first UFC champion. When the UFC announced a title fight atop the UFC Shenzhen card, it was clear the promotion wanted to turn Weili Zhang into a star. Few expected her to actually capture the title, though having won 19 in a row, you certainly couldn’t count her out.
What no one counted on, perhaps, was Jessica Andrade walking straight into her wheelhouse. Andrade moved in early, and Zhang began firing off knees and elbows, connecting with some nasty shots in the clinch. Andrade’s own powerful, move-forward style may have worked to her disadvantage, and that’s not to take anything away from Zhang’s incredible performance.
In any case, Andrade was soon on the ground, covering up, the ref was waving it off, and Weili Zhang was the first Chinese champion in UFC history.
A huge night, a historic night, on a card that might otherwise had gone under the radar. A successful night for Chinese fighters, who had several other wins on the card — including a big win in the co-main event for ‘The Leech’ Li Jingliang.
But the night, in the end, was all about Weili Zhang. It was her star turn, her coming out party. The UFC now has a huge asset in a massive market. Zhang has twenty straight wins, and gold on the world’s biggest stage.
See the pros react to Zhang’s finish of Jessica Andrade below!
HISTORY FOR CHINA!! 🇨🇳🏆 #UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/fFlJZrY8QY
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) August 31, 2019
#AndNew strawweight champion of the world | #AndFirst 🇨🇳 Chinese UFC champion
| B2YB Nemiroff | #UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/rtt0OS0ey8
— UFC (@ufc) August 31, 2019
Wow very impressive performance by Zhang https://t.co/QKbswLgAhj
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) August 31, 2019
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!!! #UFCFightNight
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) August 31, 2019
Somebody told me that Muay Thai game doesn’t work in MMA…. well I don’t think so.
— Janaisa Morandin (@janaisamma) August 31, 2019
Do you believe it?!?! Zhang Weili breaks through and wins the UFC strawweight title, knocking out Jessica Andrade in under a minute! First Chinese @ufc champion! #UFC
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) August 31, 2019
History has been made! The girl who's been finishing everyone in the division has just got finished. Weili Zhang is the new strawweight champion by taking out Jessica Andrade in the 1st round. Congratulations China! #UFCShenzhen
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) August 31, 2019
Fuck what a destruction #UFCShenzhen
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) August 31, 2019
Jesssussss. That woman meant all business as soon as the bell rang 😳 #UFCShenzhen
— Randy Costa (@RandyCosta135) August 31, 2019
Holy shit.. That was amazing!!! 🙏🏽🔥 #AndNew
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) August 31, 2019
Zhang Weili mf-ers. That girl is the truth ! #UFCShenzhen
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 31, 2019
Give these champions like Valentina Shevchenko and Jessica Andrade a lot of credit for putting their belts on the line twice in a three-month span in a most unpredictable sport. Andrade took a risk, stepped up for the promotion. I'm confident she'll remain a factor.
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) August 31, 2019
Broken-hearted for her countrywoman
💔
— JhennyUFC (@jhennyUFC) August 31, 2019
Probably
Cejudo cringe tweet coming soon
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 31, 2019
