By:  | May 3, 2022 10:14 am

Weili Zhang is training in Phuket to prepare for UFC 275. The former strawweight champion will be taking on Joanna Jędrzejczyk in a rematch at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 12th.

Zhang appears to have decided to base herself at the newly opened Bang Tao Muay Thai. Last week fellow UFC star Loma Lookboonmee posted a photo of herself posing with the Chinese fighter:

 

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A post shared by Loma Lookboonmee (@lomalookboonmee)

Zhang has brought her long term trainer John Yodpetch with her from China. She clearly wants to ensure that she is fully prepared for what could turn out to be a pivotal contest in her career.

Zhang and Jędrzejczyk first shared the octagon at UFC 248. They put on one of the greatest fights of all time and after five rounds the Chinese fighter was declared the winner by split decision.

Jędrzejczyk has not fought since while Zhang would go on to lose to Rose Namajunas twice. Both picked up $50,000 USD performance bonuses after the first fight and many fans have expressed dismay that the rematch is only scheduled for three rounds.

This is not Zhang’s first trip to Thailand. Ahead of UFC 248 she was forced to take a detour to Thailand on her way to Las Vegas and spent some time training with Saenchai Sor Kingstar in Bangkok.

But this is her first time relocating to Thailand for a training camp. She will be preparing alongside Topnoi who also has a fight booked on the Road to UFC event in Singapore.

Zhang shared a video of herself running and announced she had ‘Quickly adapted to the high humidity and high temperature climate here’:

Summertime is just starting in Beijing although it is nowhere near as hot and humid as Singapore will be. It appears Zhang is looking to acclimatize ahead of her fight next month.

With Topnoi scheduled to compete at 125lbs she should have at least one sparring partner of a similar size and weight. Loma is three inches shorter than Zhang and normally competes at 115lbs, although she is vastly more experienced in Muay Thai terms.

Bang Tao Muay Thai officially opened its doors last month. Both Superbon Banchamek and Alex Volkanovski were in town for the opening and they announced that they were keen to work together.

International reputation

Phuket has been popular with UFC fighters for a long time. Tiger Muay Thai was the original MMA camp and regularly welcomes guests like Khamzat Chimaev and Petr Yan.

AKA Thailand opened its doors more recently but helped to launch the career of former Rizin bantamweight champion and current UFC star Manel Kape. Bang Tao Muay Thai is the newest facility to open but is already making waves.

Zhang’s decision to use the newly opened camp for her UFC 275 camp is a big vote of confidence in George and Frank Hickman’s new venture. The Chinese fighter will be hoping it helps her to get back to winning ways after suffering back to back losses for the first time in her career.