Zhang Weili ’s fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 was hailed by many as the greatest fight in women’s MMA history, and is still high in the running for 2020 Fight of the Year. So much has changed in the world since Weili (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) earned a stirring split-decision victory in which she retained her UFC strawweight belt that you might have forgotten the circumstances under which Zhang had to compete. UFC 248 in Las Vegas on March 8 turned out to be the final event before the coronavirus caused a mass shutdown in the United States. But Weili’s home country of China felt the brunt of the virus long before it came to these shores, and she had to travel from Beijing to Thailand to Abu Dhabi in order to finally get into America for the fight. Related UFC on ESPN+ 40's Yan Xiaonan: Title fight with Zhang Weili would big in China Rose Namajunas looks forward to 'beautiful display of martial arts' with UFC champ Zhang Weili Zhang has already built a fan base that transcends borders due to her tremendous fighting spirit. But she’s spent her time during the pandemic brushing up on her English, which will only help her become a star over here.
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