Weili Zhang Looks To Grow Against “High-level” Suarez At UFC 312

Sydney – UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang makes her return to the octagon since April of last year when she defends her title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 this Saturday night.

Weili (25-3) normally fights 2 times per year, but 2023 only saw action once in a title defense victory over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300.

“A lot of things (that) I can’t control (kept me out of action),” Weili told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Tuesday.

Weili said that she had trouble getting opponents to fight her due to health or the promotion had other plans in mind.

At UFC 312 she gets Suarez who many feel, as does she, would be champion by now had it not been for a serious neck injury. The “uncrowned champion” as many have referred to Suarez as finally gets her chance against Weili

“Ok. Let me see Sunday,” she said. (The event takes place on Sunday in Sydney, but Saturday in the US.)

Suarez said at her media day scrum that she believed their fight was the real main event of UFC 312. The champion took a more humble approach to it.

“I think every fight (on) this card (is) very great. I think me and Tatiana’s fight is great,” said Weili.

At UFC 312 Weili will have to deal with one of the best wrestlers in the division, if not the best, but she looks forward to the challenge. Weili has shown growth in her own wrestling in recent fights, but Suarez brings a different level of grappling that she’s excited to test herself against.

“Tatiana’s wrestling and grappling is so good, but it’s (good) for me,” she said.

“My opponent is very strong and very high-level. For me it’s good because I can grow.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Weili Zhang above. She defends her title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 on Saturday night.