Zhang Weili excited to fight at UFC Shanghai as MMA returns to China
UFC’s first mainland China event since the pandemic could feature Zhang Weili, reigniting MMA’s growth in Asia.
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| Zhang Weili speaks to the media during the UFC press conference at Hengshan Garden Hotel in Shanghai, China, on May 22, 2025. Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa |
By Adila Ghina and Yuni Utomo
China’s top mixed martial arts icon, Zhang Weili, has expressed strong enthusiasm for returning to the octagon on home soil after UFC officially announced its first event in mainland China since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The highly anticipated UFC Fight Night is set for August 23 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, reigniting the sport’s momentum in Asia and placing Zhang at the heart of its resurgence.
Zhang Weili, the reigning UFC strawweight champion and the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC title, has become the face of mixed martial arts in China. With the announcement of the upcoming Shanghai event, fans and analysts alike are speculating on whether the country's MMA superstar will headline the card—a moment that would mark a full-circle return since her historic triumph in Shenzhen nearly five years ago.
"Competing on home soil feels completely different," Zhang told AFP after the news broke. "When you step into the arena with a roaring home crowd behind you, it gives you an incredible boost of energy." Zhang added that her 2019 victory in Shenzhen, where she stunned Jessica Andrade with a knockout in just 42 seconds, still resonates as one of the most powerful experiences of her career.
UFC’s strategic return to China: why Shanghai matters
This upcoming Fight Night marks UFC’s first appearance on the Chinese mainland since 2019. While a bout was held in Macau last year, the strict pandemic restrictions imposed by China’s zero-Covid policy had forced UFC to pause its plans in the country. The Shenzhen card in 2019—headlined by Zhang’s historic win—had sparked a wave of excitement and growth for MMA in China, only to be dampened by years of isolation from global sporting events.
Kevin Chang, UFC’s head of Asia, called China one of the organization’s “priority markets” and emphasized the strategic importance of the Shanghai event. “There were some hurdles along the way, but I think we learned a lot from that,” Chang said, referencing the last-minute relocation of a planned December 2023 card to Las Vegas due to logistical challenges. “We've had such a warm reception here in Shanghai this time around... it's been night and day.”
The stakes for UFC in China are higher than ever. The Shanghai Performance Institute, a $13 million facility launched in 2019, was built with the vision of nurturing a pipeline of elite Asian talent and embedding MMA culture more deeply across the region. While the pandemic disrupted those plans, the return of live events in the mainland could signal a renewed push for dominance in Asia.
Zhang Weili and the MMA boom in China
Zhang Weili’s rise parallels the sport’s explosive growth across China. Her championship success made her a household name and a symbol of national pride, helping UFC reach millions of new fans in the world’s most populous country. Her popularity has inspired a new generation of fighters, including the likes of Song Yadong, currently ranked fifth in the UFC bantamweight division.
Fighter Song echoed Zhang’s sentiments about the significance of returning to fight in China. “I think the biggest change is that we have our own champions, such as Zhang Weili,” he said. “Since then there is more foreign media coming and paying attention to Chinese players... Then we continue to prove that we Chinese can also achieve good results in the sport of MMA.”
Both fighters see Shanghai as a potential turning point. "So many Chinese athletes are joining the UFC now," Zhang added. "I'm confident the sport will continue to grow here."
Will Zhang headline UFC Shanghai?
While UFC has yet to confirm the fight card for the August 23 event, Zhang’s inclusion would seem all but essential. Her presence would not only draw domestic audiences but also reaffirm UFC’s commitment to building talent and market share in China. As the current strawweight champion, any appearance in front of a Chinese crowd would be a major milestone—not just for her, but for the sport’s profile in the region.
Zhang’s career has also been marked by resilience and reinvention. After her initial title win in 2019, she went through a rollercoaster of wins and losses, eventually reclaiming the belt and defending it with ferocity. Her fighting style, marked by a mix of technical precision and relentless aggression, has earned her global respect and a passionate fanbase.
Her statements to the press reflect a deep emotional connection to her home audience. “I’m really looking forward to fighting in Shanghai,” she said. “The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying when I fought in Shenzhen, and I hope to experience that again.”
Expanding UFC’s footprint in Asia
UFC’s decision to return to Shanghai is not merely about hosting a high-profile event; it’s a calculated move to reignite long-term expansion plans. According to Chang, several local governments across China have shown interest in bringing UFC events to their regions. The potential is immense: from talent development to fanbase engagement, UFC sees Asia—and particularly China—as the next frontier in MMA.
“We're going to continue to grow and there's a lot of room to grow,” Chang said. The Shanghai Fight Night could be a catalyst for a broader regional campaign, with more events, local partnerships, and investment in Chinese fighters.
If successful, the August 23 card may lead to a consistent schedule of Fight Nights in China and Southeast Asia, bolstered by the region’s growing interest in combat sports. And with champions like Zhang Weili leading the charge, UFC’s Asian chapter might be just getting started.
UFC Shanghai could mark a turning point
The buzz around UFC Shanghai is already generating headlines, but for fighters like Zhang Weili, it’s more than just another event—it’s a homecoming. For fans, it’s a long-awaited return of world-class MMA to Chinese soil. And for the promotion, it’s a moment of reckoning for its ambitions in the East.
Whether Zhang Weili headlines or not, the August 23 event will be closely watched by industry insiders and fans alike. Its success or failure could determine the future scale and frequency of UFC events in Asia. But if one thing is clear, it's that Zhang Weili UFC Shanghai is more than just a bout—it's a statement of intent.
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