Dialogue with Zhang Weili: The first title defense after regaining the belt is well prepared and wants to promote martial arts
In May, the UFC announced that current women's strawweight champion and China's Zhang Weili would face Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in Boston, USA, on August 20, Beijing time. It was Cheung's first title defense since she submitted to Carla Espazza in November and regained the UFC women's strawweight belt after 567 days. On June 28, Zhang Weili, who was preparing for the match in Thailand, told Nandu and N Video reporters that she had been looking forward to this match for a long time, and was currently focusing on the training in front of her, trying to really play her style in the game, hoping to continue to defend the belt.
Nandu reporters noticed that since regaining the belt last year, Zhang Weili ushered in a leisure time, not only participated in the first World Mixed Martial Arts UFC Carnival Annual Awards Ceremony held in February, won the best post-match interview, best finish and best moment three awards in one fell swoop, but also participated in the recording of variety shows, and communicated with fans by sharing her life. She told Nandu reporters that she is also trying to promote combat sports, hoping to fight in front of Chinese fans as soon as possible.
Zhang Weili posted a training diagram on her personal social media.
Above the Ring: Hope to continue to defend the belt
In May, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) announced that current women's strawweight champion and China's Zhang Weili will face Amanda Lemos in the UFC 292 for her first title defense after regaining the "belt" in Boston, USA, on August 20, Beijing time. Originally from Brazil, Lemos is currently fourth in the UFC mixed martial arts women's strawweight rankings with a professional record of 13-2-1. After the schedule came out, there was a voice on the Internet that was not optimistic about Zhang Weili, Zhang Weili told the Nandu reporter, "I think it is most important to focus on doing a good job of yourself, you will not be affected by these remarks, and you will not deny yourself because of what others say, just do a good job of yourself."
For Lemos, Zhang Weili is no stranger. "Her grabbing, ground strike skills and explosiveness are very strong, and she is a relatively versatile player." Zhang Weili said that two or three years ago, she watched a game by Lemos, and "at that time I thought she would definitely be able to hit the leaderboard." Lemos' ability to grasp the timing and move under her feet made Zhang Weili remember it well, and she felt that one day in the future they would play a game, "I didn't expect this game to really come." She is looking forward to a fierce battle.
China's Zhang Weili celebrates after winning UFC 281, the ultimate martial arts championship, in New York, USA, November 12, 2022. Xinhua News Agency
The high-profile competition will be held in Boston, USA, which evokes many memories of Zhang Weili. Zhang Weili said that in 2019, she watched a game in Boston, and there were many local Chinese and international students, and the atmosphere of the competition was very good. At that time, Zhang Weili had already won many championships, but she still yearned for such a well-received arena. The idea of "playing a game in Boston" was like a seed taking root in her heart. Four years have passed, Zhang Weili, who has experienced ups and downs, has been able to realize her dream. The importance of this game is self-evident, but Zhang Weili admits that "there is no pressure".
Zhang Weili explains: "Two years ago, I was under pressure to play the title defending. But now I see myself as a challenger, and the challenger is myself. When I put all my energy into myself, I feel happy and productive in everything I do. "Therefore, in the face of players whose strength cannot be underestimated, Zhang Weili still prepares with a relaxed attitude." When you are in a good mood, your body is good, and when you are in good health, you are good at training. She said.
In March, Zhang Weili arrived in Thailand and began a simple life of "eating, sleeping and training". At present, in order to make up for the shortcomings as much as possible, Zhang Weili still focuses on basic training. Zhang Weili revealed that on July 3, she will go to the United States for actual combat training and tactical simulation. "We were very prepared to wrestle, stand and on the ground." As the game approached, Zhang Weili had no time to think more. "I'm just focused on the training and the game in front of me, every day, every class, trying to really play my style in the game and hopefully continue to defend my title," she said.
"Focus" is Zhang Weili's consistent style. The fighting arena is unpredictable, and if you don't pay attention, you can turn the situation and even get injured. Zhang Weili also expressed concern, but believes that the most important thing is to focus on the game, "don't worry too much, even win or lose too much."
It is this focus that has helped Zhang Weili go further and further on the road of martial arts. On June 9, 2013, 23-year-old Zhang Weili decided to "stand in the UFC's ring"; Ten years on, Zhang Weili has received countless applause and glory in the UFC ring. Today, Zhang Weili still feels that her physical fitness, skills and tactics have yet to be developed. "I'm in very good shape because I love sports and I love the stage." Zhang Weili told Nandu reporters that in the past ten years, after trying to find what she really loves and persevering until now, she feels that she is "very lucky and very happy."
Beyond the Ring: Eager to promote combat sports
After a wonderful game, Zhang Weili has received more and more people's attention. At the inaugural World Mixed Martial Arts UFC Carnival Annual Awards Ceremony held in February this year, Zhang Weili won three awards: Best Post-Match Interview, Best Finish and Best Moment, further increasing her popularity. Recalling this scene, Zhang Weili told the Nandu reporter: "There will be a little pressure at the beginning, like returning to the state where I just won the championship. So, Zhang Weili turned this emotion into an inner drive, set a better goal for herself, and fought for it.
In fact, Zhang Weili is a girl who loves to talk and laugh in her daily life, and her social platforms are full of fragments of her life that she shares - she will watch children's fighting matches, surf for balance and center of gravity training, and cook and record her three meals a day. In this regard, she told Nandu reporters, "I hope fans can learn more about the state of athletes in the audience, including what we eat and what we do when we don't train." In this way, better communication with fans is achieved. ”
Not long ago, Zhang Weili participated in the recording of a variety show. At the shooting site, the waiting of many fans impressed Zhang Weili. "As long as we have some voices, the fans outside will scream." At that time, Zhang Weili was extremely envious, she said: "When the fans of martial arts can be like this, I am too happy." The idea of promoting combat sports in China has always been on Zhang's mind.
Recently, the movie "In the Octagon Cage" with the theme of fighting was staged, and the octagonal cage is a competition ring dedicated to mixed martial arts. Zhang Weili revealed that she also came up with her own ideas for the film. "I feel very happy because the promotion of the film is very strong, and the public can learn about the sport and the athletes through the movie. I think this is a very good thing and has made a very big contribution to Chinese martial arts. ”
In the interview, Zhang Weili repeatedly stated that she "hopes to see the popularity of combat sports become more and more widespread", and she is also determined to work hard to promote combat sports. "I hope that in the future, more people can participate and integrate Chinese culture into modern martial arts." Zhang Weili has been practicing Chinese wrestling for many years and hopes to better integrate it into mixed martial arts. Zhang Weili said: "In fact, the difference between Chinese wrestling and freestyle wrestling is quite big. When two people are entangled, Chinese wrestling is very useful. "This unique wrestling style surprised many coaches one after another.
Take Chinese martial arts as the root, absorb the wisdom of the ancients, and learn the old concept of power. Zhang Weili not only shows the style of "China's Zhang Weili", but also allows the world to see China's unique martial artist art. In the comment section of Zhang Weili's Weibo, many people left messages encouraging Zhang Weili and praising her display of Chinese female power. Zhang Weili told the Nandu reporter, "I am very happy to have so many people supporting me." Therefore, Zhang Weili is also looking forward to playing a fighting match in China, "I was in very good shape when I competed in China, everyone cheered me on and gave me a lot of blessings." I especially hope to be able to play in front of Chinese fans. ”
Written by: Intern He Yintao Nandu Reporter He Jiahui