Zhang Weili Bio
Zhang Weili is a pioneering Chinese mixed martial artist born on September 30, 1990, in Handan, Hebei, China. She is the first Chinese UFC champion and a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, holding titles from 2019 onward. Zhang began her professional MMA career in 2013 and is known for her versatility and resilience, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Early Life and Background
Zhang Weili was born in Handan, Hebei, China, to a retired miner father and a housewife mother. She has an older brother who left his job as a gold trader to support her career and now works at the gym where she trains. Inspired by Kung Fu films, Zhang started martial arts training at age six with Shaolin Kung Fu under a local master.
During primary school, she practiced various sports including athletics, football, and table tennis. At age 12, she attended a specialized martial arts school in Handan, training in Sanda and Shuai Jiao. After winning multiple Sanda championships in Hebei province, a recurring back injury forced her to quit the sport early. At 17, Zhang moved to Beijing, working various jobs before becoming a fitness instructor at a gym where she began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and later transitioned to MMA under coach Cai Xuejun.
Path to MMA
Zhang’s early exposure to martial arts and her training in multiple disciplines laid a strong foundation for her MMA career. She was inspired by fighters like Wu Haotian and influenced by action stars such as Donnie Yen and Ronda Rousey. Zhang’s philosophy embraces adaptability, inspired by Bruce Lee and traditional Chinese martial arts, aiming to change tactics fluidly during fights.
Zhang Weili Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Zhang made her professional MMA debut in 2013. After an initial loss, she won 11 consecutive fights before capturing the Kunlun Fight Female Strawweight Championship in 2017. She successfully defended this title twice and also won the Top FC Strawweight Championship, compiling a record of 16–1 before signing with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Zhang debuted in the UFC in August 2018 with a unanimous decision win over Danielle Taylor. She quickly rose through the ranks, winning by armbar submission against Jessica Aguilar and defeating Tecia Torres by unanimous decision. On August 31, 2019, Zhang defeated Jéssica Andrade via first-round technical knockout to become the UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC title. This victory earned her the Performance of the Night award.
She defended her title successfully against Joanna Jędrzejczyk in March 2020 in a bout widely regarded as one of the greatest in women’s MMA history, earning Fight of the Night honors. Zhang lost the title to Rose Namajunas in April 2021 but remained a top contender, losing a close rematch later that year. In June 2022, she regained the title by knocking out Jędrzejczyk with a spinning backfist, earning another Performance of the Night bonus.
In November 2022, Zhang reclaimed the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by submitting Carla Esparza. She continued her dominance with a unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos in August 2023, setting a record for the largest striking differential in a women’s UFC fight. In April 2024, Zhang won the first all-China title fight against Yan Xiaonan and defended her title again in February 2025 against Tatiana Suarez.
In November 2025, Zhang challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision after vacating her strawweight title.
Current Team Era (2013–Present)
Zhang trains with Black Tiger Fight Club, Fight Ready, and Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. She has worked with trainers including Cai Xuejun and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experts Pedro Jordão and Josh Hinger. Her training across multiple disciplines contributes to her well-rounded fighting style and adaptability inside the octagon.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zhang Weili is known for her versatility, combining striking, grappling, and submission skills. She adapts her tactics fluidly, reflecting her philosophy of being like water. Her strengths include resilience, technical proficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and powerful striking, particularly demonstrated in her knockout victories and dominant performances.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zhang’s historic win as the first Chinese UFC champion and her acclaimed title defenses, including the legendary fight against Joanna Jędrzejczyk, mark significant milestones. Her record-setting striking differential against Amanda Lemos and multiple Performance of the Night awards highlight her impact on women’s MMA.
Zhang Weili Career Wins
Zhang Weili has amassed 26 wins in professional MMA out of 30 fights, with victories by knockout, submission, and decision. Her career includes championship titles in Kunlun Fight and the UFC, with notable wins over top contenders and former champions.
UFC Highlights
Zhang has secured multiple UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship titles, first winning the belt in 2019. Her first UFC win was a unanimous decision over Danielle Taylor, and her most recent title defense was a unanimous decision against Tatiana Suarez in 2025. She has earned several Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses during her UFC tenure.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Zhang was the Kunlun Fight Women’s Strawweight Champion and the Top FC Strawweight Champion. She compiled a strong winning streak in regional promotions, demonstrating her dominance before entering the global stage.
Zhang Weili Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zhang comes from a supportive family with her father being a retired miner and her mother a housewife. Her older brother plays an active role in supporting her career by working at her training gym. This family support has been integral to her success in MMA.
Personal Life
Zhang Weili resides in Beijing, China. Public details about her marital status or children are not available. She is known to maintain a professional focus on her fighting career and training.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Zhang continued to compete at the highest level in the UFC Women’s Strawweight division, successfully defending her title against Tatiana Suarez. Later in the year, she vacated the strawweight title to challenge for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship but was defeated by Valentina Shevchenko. Throughout the season, Zhang demonstrated her resilience and adaptability, maintaining her status as one of the top fighters in women’s MMA.
Her training with Black Tiger Fight Club, Fight Ready, and Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA, along with her skilled coaching team, supported her competitive performances. Zhang’s 2025 season reflected her ongoing commitment to excellence and her role as a leading figure in the sport.