Wang Cong Bio
Wang Cong (Chinese: 王聪; pinyin: Wáng Cōng; born 15 May 1992), also known by the nickname “The Joker,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist, boxer, and Sanda kickboxer. She currently competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a member of Team Alpha Male, training out of Liaoning Province, China. Wang holds a professional MMA record of 8 wins and 1 loss, with her victories split between decisions, knockouts, and a single submission. As of recent UFC rankings, she sits among the top fifteen in the women’s flyweight division.
Early Life and Background
Wang Cong was born on 15 May 1992 in Dalian, Liaoning, China. She grew up in Liaoning Province, where she has continued to base her training and personal residence throughout her fighting career. Her hometown of Dalian, a coastal city in northeastern China, has produced several notable combat sports athletes, and the region’s strong martial arts culture helped shape her early athletic development.
From a young age, Wang Cong gravitated toward striking-based combat sports, eventually developing a versatile style rooted in Kickboxing, Sanda, and Boxing. Her multicultural martial arts background, blending traditional Chinese Sanda with Western-style boxing and kickboxing, would later become a defining feature of her approach in the cage. This foundational training prepared her for a smooth transition into both amateur and professional competition.
Path to MMA
Wang Cong began her combat sports career in striking disciplines, quickly establishing herself on the international stage through amateur achievements. In 2013, she captured a gold medal in Women’s Sanda at the World Wushu Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, competing at 60 kilograms. The following year, in 2014, she added another gold medal at the Asian Games in Incheon, again at 60 kilograms, further cementing her reputation as one of China’s top female strikers.
In 2014, Wang Cong transitioned to professional mixed martial arts and began competing in the Flyweight and Lightweight divisions. Her early professional years were spent in regional Chinese promotions, where she built an undefeated record and gained valuable experience against seasoned opponents. A 2019 silver medal in amateur boxing at the World Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia, added another layer to her already impressive striking pedigree before she fully committed to MMA under the UFC banner.
Wang Cong Career
Early Career (2014–2020)
Wang Cong’s early professional years were dominated by kickboxing and Sanda competition across Asia. On November 16, 2010, she faced Tiffany van Soest in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a bout that was declared a draw after three rounds, an early indication of her competitive standing on the international stage. Her drawing power and technical skill made her a sought-after opponent for major kickboxing promotions.
On October 31, 2015, Wang Cong scored one of the most significant early victories of her career when she defeated future UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko by unanimous decision at Kunlun Fight 33. The win signaled her arrival as a top-tier striker and helped establish her reputation in the global kickboxing scene. She continued to refine her MMA skills throughout this period, balancing both disciplines while building toward a shot at a major MMA promotion.
Kunlun Fight Era (2018–2024)
Wang Cong’s star rose considerably on the Kunlun Fight platform. On September 9, 2018, she entered the eight-woman, one-night Legend of Mulan Tournament at Kunlun Fight 76. She defeated Niamh Kinehan by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals, Nili Block by unanimous decision in the semifinals, and Zhu Mengjia by unanimous decision in the final to claim the tournament title. The victory earned her the Kunlun Fight Women’s Lightweight Championship and remains one of the defining achievements of her career.
Wang Cong eventually transitioned fully to MMA, winning her first three professional bouts before facing her toughest test to date. On January 20, 2024, at Kunlun Fight 95, she took on UFC veteran Wu Yanan and won by unanimous decision, demonstrating her growth as a well-rounded mixed martial artist. Her performance in this high-profile bout set the stage for her entry into the world’s premier MMA organization.
Road to UFC and UFC Era (2024–Present)
On May 18, 2024, Wang Cong faced Paula Luna in Episode 2 of Road to UFC Season 3. She submitted her opponent in the first round and, with the victory, earned a UFC contract, the springboard to competing on the sport’s biggest stage. The win marked her arrival as a serious contender in the global MMA landscape.
Wang Cong made her UFC debut on August 24, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 62, where she faced Victoria Leonardo. She won the fight by knockout in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus from UFC CEO Dana White the following day. Her momentum was briefly halted on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248, when she was dropped by a left hook from Gabriella Fernandes and lost via rear-naked choke in the second round, marking the first defeat of her professional MMA career. Since then, she has rebounded with consecutive unanimous decision wins over Bruna Brasil at UFC 312 on February 9, 2025, and Ariane da Silva at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, where she also received 25 percent of her opponent’s purse after da Silva missed weight. Most recently, on February 7, 2026, Wang defeated Eduarda Moura by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 266 in a catchweight bout, extending her current winning streak.
Style and Strengths
Wang Cong’s fighting style is built on a foundation of striking arts, drawing from her Kickboxing, Sanda, and Boxing background. She is comfortable across multiple ranges, uses crisp straight punches, and incorporates traditional Sanda kicks and throws that make her a difficult matchup for pure strikers. Training out of Team Alpha Male in Liaoning Province has helped her round out her ground game, allowing her to compete effectively in all phases of MMA.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, Wang Cong’s 2018 Kunlun Fight Legend of Mulan Tournament title, her 2015 victory over Valentina Shevchenko, and her first-round knockout of Victoria Leonardo on her UFC debut stand out as signature moments. The Performance of the Night award she received after her UFC debut further underscored her potential as a rising contender in the women’s flyweight division.
Wang Cong Career Wins
Wang Cong has compiled an impressive winning record across kickboxing, Sanda, and mixed martial arts, with titles spanning tournament championships, amateur gold medals, and UFC-level victories. Her professional MMA record stands at 8 wins and 1 loss, with 4 wins by decision, 2 by knockout, and 1 by submission. She has consistently performed against high-caliber opposition throughout her career, and her blend of regional and international accolades reflects her versatility as a striker and mixed martial artist.
Kunlun Fight Highlights
Wang Cong captured the Kunlun Fight Women’s Lightweight Championship and won the 2018 Legend of Mulan Tournament, defeating Niamh Kinehan, Nili Block, and Zhu Mengjia all by unanimous decision on a single night. Her 2015 unanimous decision victory over Valentina Shevchenko at Kunlun Fight 33 remains one of the most talked-about results of her career and a foundational moment in her rise through the kickboxing ranks.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Kunlun Fight, Wang Cong’s amateur accolades include gold medals in Women’s Sanda at the 2013 World Wushu Championships and the 2014 Asian Games, along with a silver medal in amateur boxing at the 2019 World Championships. In her UFC tenure, she has earned first-round finishes, Performance of the Night bonuses, and multiple decision wins over ranked opposition, all signs of her continued growth at the highest level of the sport.
Wang Cong Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wang Cong was born and raised in Dalian, Liaoning, China, where her family supported her early athletic development. She continues to base her training in Liaoning Province, reflecting strong ties to her hometown community.
Personal Life
Wang Cong resides in Liaoning Province, China, where she trains with Team Alpha Male. She is widely recognized by her nickname “The Joker,” a moniker that reflects her confident and expressive personality inside the cage. Beyond her public identity as a fighter, she has kept her personal and family life largely private throughout her career.
2025 Season Performance
Wang Cong’s 2025 campaign reflected both resilience and steady progress inside the UFC women’s flyweight division. She opened the year with a unanimous decision victory over Bruna Brasil at UFC 312 on February 9, 2025, reasserting herself following the first loss of her career. The win was a clear statement that her earlier setback against Gabriella Fernandes had not diminished her form or confidence.
She followed that performance with another unanimous decision win, this time over Ariane da Silva at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025. Although the bout was contested at a catchweight after da Silva missed the flyweight limit, Wang Cong was awarded 25 percent of her opponent’s purse and delivered a composed performance from start to finish. These results helped her maintain a position among the top-ranked women in the division.
Looking ahead, Wang Cong is scheduled to face Tracy Cortez on July 11, 2026, at UFC 329, a bout that represents another step up in competition and an opportunity to climb further in the rankings. With a recent winning streak, a well-rounded skill set, and the backing of Team Alpha Male, her trajectory within the UFC remains firmly pointed upward.
