It appears UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili will be making her first title defense against former 115-pound queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
At least that’s what UFC president Dana White alluded to when he said earlier this week that he’s very excited about the matchup, which has been brewing. Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) have not minced words toward each other. In a recent interview with South China Morning Post, Jedrzejczyk said she’s willing to take a canoe to China to beat the (expletive) out of Weili.
Weili believes Jedrzejczyk’s emotions will cost her, as she envisions an early finish in their potential fight, just like when she won the title in 42 seconds by stopping Jessica Andrade in August.
“I think she sounds very angry all the time, and her emotions will get her in trouble,” Weili told MMA Junkie in a direct message. “She is willing to fight me now, but there was a time she didn’t want to fight me, as well. I am ready anytime for battle. Just call my manager Mr. Brian (Butler) and the boss Dana, and we can fight next week.”
“I am always looking to finish a fight as soon as I can so my opponent doesn’t have to endure long periods of damage,” Weili added. “I see the fight ending in one or two rounds. I think Joanna possesses great skill with her striking, along with good power, but I believe in my training and team to have me ready to beat her anywhere.”
After losing her title to Rose Namajunas in 2017, Jedrzejczyk endured a rough stretch in her career, falling in a rematch to Namajunas, as well as a failed attempt to capture the flyweight title vs. Valentina Shevchenko. Jedrzejczyk had dropped three of her last four bouts, but she is back in pursuit of reclaiming her throne, defeating Michelle Waterson via unanimous decision last month in Tampa.
Jedrzejczyk, who said she was promised a title shot with a win over Waterson, is determined to get her title back, but Weili is confident she will shut her down.
“I think she is very angry and emotional, and I will calm her down,” Weili said.
UFC champ Zhang Weili envisions finishing 'angry and emotional' Joanna Jedrzejczyk early