Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas title fight targeted for UFC 261 headliner

The UFC strawweight title will be on the line for the first time in nearly 14 months when champion Zhang Weili returns against Rose Namajunas.

The anticipated championship clash between Weili (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and Namajunas (9-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is targeted to take place at UFC 261, which is expected to take place on April 24. A location and venue have not been finalized.

MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN that, while contracts haven’t been finalized, verbal agreements are in place for the 115-pound title matchup. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Weili, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie strawweight rankings, hasn’t competed since logging her first title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in March 2020. The bout was awarded MMA Junkie’s “Fight of the Year,” but the Chinese titleholder, who is riding a 20-fight winning streak, hasn’t seen action since.

No. 2-ranked Namajunas, meanwhile, will have the chance to reclaim the UFC belt she lost at UFC 237 in May 2019. After ending Jedrzejczyk’s long reign atop the weight class, Namajunas dropped the gold in a stunning slam knockout defeat to Jessica Andrade. The pair had a rematch at UFC 251 in July, with Namajunas beating Andrade by unanimous decision.

The latest UFC 261 lineup now includes:

• Champ Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas – for strawweight title
• Champ Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade – for women’s flyweight title
• Uriah Hall vs. Chris Weidman
• Jimmy Crute vs. Anthony Smith
• Danaa Batgerel vs. Kevin Natividad