New York, 10 Nov (Xinhua) -- Sitting in front of this reporter, Zhang Weili is like a well-behaved sister next door, and she does not have the fierceness of "China's most capable woman" in an octagonal cage. She is always smiling, speaks briskly, answers questions quickly, speaks crisply and has no lack of humor.
Zhang Weili was previously interviewed by a Xinhua reporter in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yichen
"I'm going to give my all to win this game." On the evening of the 12th, she will challenge the current champion of the women's strawweight division, Carla Espaza, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
If she wins, Zhang Weili will become the third fighter to regain the UFC women's strawweight title in the ultimate fighting championship after Ross Namayunas and Carla.
"I was excited and happy to come this time, just like the first time I got the (gold) belt." Zhang Weili said, "The first time I took the (golden) belt was in China, and many people knew me because of that game, and I was a Chinese Weili at that time. If I can get a (golden) belt in New York this time, I think I'm the beauty of the world. ”
The match on the 12th will be Zhang Weili's first fight with Carla.
Zhang Weili won the women's strawweight world belt in Shenzhen, China in 2019, becoming Asia's first UFC world champion. The following year she successfully defended her title against Joanna Jedder Jersik. But in April 2021, she lost to American Ross to defend her title. In November of that year, also at Madison Square Garden, Zhang Weili lost again to Ross, who defended the gold belt. In June this year, Zhang Weili won the women's strawweight title challenge by knocking out Joanna in the second round in Singapore. The opponent announced his retirement on the spot.
Zhang Weili (left) and Joanna Jedder Jersik in a match on June 12. Xinhua News Agency (Courtesy of UFC)
Earlier, in May, in Phoenix, USA, Carla defeated Rose by split decision to claim the strawweight title for the second time.
"Carla is also a very good fighter, because she won the championship after 8 years, I think she is a very respectable player." Zhang Weili said.
But for Kara, who is good at wrestling and grappling, Zhang Weili, who has a good background in Chinese martial arts and sanda, said that "she has nothing to fear", "I think Kara's previous opponent may be controlled by her rhythm, I won't, I want her to follow my rhythm", because "my advantage is that my technique is more comprehensive, whether it is wrestling or jiu-jitsu".
The Handan girl from Hebei Province arrived in Las Vegas six weeks ago to prepare. "A lot of preparation, everything you can think of is prepared. In this competition, I think everyone will see a different me. ”
Compared with the last game in New York, Zhang Weili believes that "the biggest change is more confidence". "The mentality of this game is completely different from the last time, and last time I didn't feel ready. I think it's very important to be internally not influenced by external voices and to focus on yourself. ”
On June 12, Zhang Weili celebrated the victory of the competition. Xinhua News Agency (Courtesy of UFC)
Despite the away game, Zhang Weili said she "feels the support of domestic fans every day" and that "there are many fans in the United States who support me". She hopes to make the fight with Carla the best of the year, living up to everyone's favor and love: "The game will be exciting, and something amazing can happen at any time. ”
Looking back on her experience since she officially practiced mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2013, Zhang Weili said: "Every fight has its meaning. Whether I win or lose, it is my life experience. After so much experience, I feel that I am more calm, stronger than before, more calm in the face of anything, and more will not give up easily. ”
Speaking about future career planning, Zhang Weili said that MMA is a very open sport that can integrate various schools of kung fu, and traditional Chinese martial arts are very useful in it. She hopes that in the future, she can open a school to cultivate the next generation of young MMA players, better integrate the inheritance of traditional Chinese culture with the development of MMA sports, "hope to make our children stronger physically and have stronger hearts."
Zhang Weili profile photo. Xinhua News Agency
Zhang Weili stressed that she can get to this day thanks to the support of her parents, hometown elders and her own team, and it is even more because she has caught up with a prosperous era. "Whether we play, prepare or train anywhere in the world, we are very confident. Self-confidence is a must for our generation, we have a culture of 5,000 years, why don't we be confident? Now the country is developing so fast in all fields, and the various sports are developing better and better. ”
"Wherever I go, whenever I have the opportunity, I will teach local friends, including opponents, to say a few basic Chinese words, hello, thank you, goodbye, etc." Zhang Weili said that after this competition, she also plans to teach Carla two Chinese, and then go to taste New York cakes, ice cream, and then go to some famous attractions.