Weili Zhang was knocked out in 78 seconds at UFC 261. But the Chinese strawweight feels that fight was so fast that opponent Rose Namajunas didn’t really prove anything,
“If she kept beating me over three rounds or five rounds I would accept that she is the better fighter. Right now I find that hard to believe.”
Knocking an opponent out is traditionally the best way to prove your superiority. But Zhang believes that because first fight ended prematurely and she didn’t get the chance to show what she is capable of.
“The fight ended before I could bring out what I’ve learned in training.”
True champion
She rematches Namajunas at UFC 268 this weekend. The 32 year old believes that recapturing the strawweight title would be the best possible way to bounce back from her first ever octagon loss,
“People lose but you stand up again, continue to work hard and come back better. I believe that this loss will truly be a new start for my career.”
While it sounds like she hasn’t really come to terms with her loss at UFC 261 the Chinese fighter is adamant she emerged as a stronger fighter.
“The defeat has only made me stronger. When I regain the belt it will show that I am a true champion.”
Fully prepared
She has made some changes and is training at Fight Ready in Arizona under Henry Cejudo. Zhang wants to draw a line under her loss to Namajunas and recapture the strawweight title in New York this weekend,
“What’s done is done this is a whole new fight. I am fully prepared, I will get the belt back.”
