Zhang Weili Bio
Zhang Weili is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist, widely recognized as the first Chinese athlete to win a UFC championship. Born on September 30, 1990, in Handan, Hebei, China, she rose from humble beginnings to become a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. Standing 5 feet 4 inches tall with a 63-inch reach, Zhang has built a reputation for her striking power, grappling skill, and unshakable composure inside the cage. Training out of Beijing, she is widely regarded as one of the most influential Asian fighters in the history of mixed martial arts.
Early Life and Background
Zhang Weili was born and raised in Handan, Hebei, where she grew up in a working-class family. Her father is a retired miner and her mother is a housewife. She has one older brother, who once worked as a gold trader before leaving his job to support her training, eventually working at the gym where she trains. Inspired by Kung Fu films as a child, she began training in Shaolin Kung Fu at the age of six under a local master. By the time she was 12, her parents had enrolled her in a specialized martial arts school in Handan, where she took up Sanda and Shuai Jiao.
As a young athlete, Zhang also competed in athletics, football, and table tennis during her primary school years. Her skill in Sanda eventually earned her a spot on the Jiangsu province team, and she won multiple Sanda championships in Hebei province. However, a recurring back injury forced her to step away from competitive Sanda in her late teens. After relocating to Beijing at 17, she worked a series of odd jobs, including cashier, kindergarten teacher, security guard, and hotel desk clerk, while continuing to train whenever she could.
Path to MMA
While working as a fitness instructor in Beijing in 2010, Zhang was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after watching grapplers train at her gym. She later met Wu Haotian, a pioneer of Chinese MMA whom she had long admired, and in 2012 he brought her to the Black Tiger Fight Club. There, head coach Cai Xuejun recognized her potential and began preparing her for a professional career. She has often credited Donnie Yen’s 2007 film Flashpoint and Ronda Rousey’s 2013 fight with Liz Carmouche as key inspirations for pursuing MMA full-time.
Zhang Weili Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Zhang Weili made her professional MMA debut in 2013, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Meng Bo. She quickly bounced back, rattling off 21 consecutive wins across Chinese and Asian promotions. On May 25, 2017, she captured the Kunlun Fight Female Strawweight Championship by stopping Simone Duarte via TKO in the second round at Kunlun Fight MMA 11. She followed that victory with a successful title defense against Aline Sattelmayer, then added the vacant Top FC Strawweight Championship with a second-round TKO of Seo Ye-dam.
She continued her dominant run with a second KLF title defense against Marilia Santos, finishing the bout via TKO. By the time she signed with the UFC, Zhang had compiled a record of 16–1 and was widely considered the top strawweight prospect outside the promotion.
UFC Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Zhang made her UFC debut on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227, defeating Danielle Taylor by unanimous decision. She followed that with a first-round armbar submission of Jessica Aguilar at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2, and a decision win over Tecia Torres at UFC 235. Her rapid rise through the rankings set up a title shot against champion Jéssica Andrade at UFC Fight Night 157 on August 31, 2019. Zhang delivered a stunning first-round TKO to become the first Chinese UFC champion in history, earning her first Performance of the Night bonus.
UFC Strawweight Championship Era (2020–2024)
In her first title defense, Zhang faced former champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020. After a back-and-forth war widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in women’s MMA history, Zhang won by split decision and claimed the Fight of the Night award. She lost the belt in April 2021 via first-round head kick KO to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261, and dropped a split decision in their rematch at UFC 268.
Zhang reclaimed championship form in 2022, knocking out Jędrzejczyk with a spinning backfist in the second round of their rematch at UFC 275. Five months later, at UFC 281, she submitted Carla Esparza via rear-naked choke in the second round to recapture the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship, earning another Performance of the Night bonus. She defended the title against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292, outstriking Lemos 296–29 in a historic decision win. In April 2024, she defeated Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision at UFC 300 in the first all-China UFC title fight.
Flyweight Challenge (2025)
On February 9, 2025, Zhang successfully defended her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312, winning by unanimous decision. On October 25, 2025, she vacated the strawweight championship and moved up to flyweight to challenge two-time champion Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025. Zhang lost the bout by unanimous decision.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zhang Weili is known for her versatile, adaptive fighting style, blending powerful striking with a high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. She holds a black belt in BJJ under Pedro Jordão and has demonstrated finishing ability both on the feet and on the mat. Her composure, cardio, and ability to adjust mid-fight have allowed her to compete at an elite level across multiple weight classes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zhang’s 2020 clash with Joanna Jędrzejczyk is widely celebrated as one of the greatest women’s fights in MMA history. Her 296–29 striking differential over Amanda Lemos in 2023 set a UFC record for the largest margin in a women’s bout. She has earned four Performance of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night bonus, and remains the only Chinese fighter to hold a UFC title.
Zhang Weili Career Wins
Zhang Weili has compiled 26 professional wins against 4 losses across her MMA career. Her finishing arsenal includes 8 submissions and 1 knockout, with 3 additional victories coming by decision.
UFC Highlights
Zhang captured the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship in 2019 and reclaimed it in 2022, holding the title across two reigns. Her first title win came via first-round TKO over Jéssica Andrade, and her second reign began with a second-round submission of Carla Esparza. She has since defended the belt against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Zhang captured both the Kunlun Fight and Top FC strawweight titles in 2017. Her Chinese-circuit run included dominant performances against regional contenders and helped establish her as a global prospect before her UFC signing.
Zhang Weili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zhang Weili’s path to MMA was shaped by the unwavering support of her family. Her father worked as a miner and her mother as a housewife, and her older brother sacrificed a successful career as a gold trader to help manage her training and gym operations. That family backing has been central to her rise from Handan to international stardom.
Personal Life
Zhang Weili lives and trains in Beijing, China, where she is a prominent cultural and athletic figure. She is also a popular commercial figure in China, serving as a brand ambassador for Estée Lauder, Audi, Hyperice, Under Armour, Heilan Home, JingDong, and Wusu Beer.
2025 Season Performance
Zhang Weili opened 2025 as the reigning UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion and quickly added to her legacy with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February. The win cemented her status as one of the division’s most well-rounded champions and extended her reign into a second calendar year.
In a major career shift, Zhang vacated the strawweight title in October 2025 and moved up to flyweight to challenge Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025. She lost a close unanimous decision to the two-time flyweight champion, but her willingness to test herself in a second weight class reinforced her reputation for courage and ambition.
As of late 2025, Zhang ranks No. 1 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings and No. 3 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. With her championship pedigree, evolving skill set, and global fan base, she remains a central figure in the UFC’s international growth.