Newly crowned strawweight champ Zhang Weili put on a dominant performance at UFC 281 on Saturday, earning the second-round submission win over former champ Carla Esparza.
Subscribe to get all the latest UFC content: ufc.ac/3u8FIJp
Experience UFC live with UFC FIGHT PASS, the digital subscription service of the UFC. Visit ufcfightpass.com/
To order UFC Pay-Per-Views on ESPN+, visit ufc.ac/3NKBvmx (U.S. only)
To order UFC Pay-Per-Views, visit welcome.ufcfightpass.com/#PPV (Non U.S.)
👉 Shop official UFC Gear, visit ufcstore.com
👉 Shop official UFC Memorabilia, visit ufccollectibles.com
👉 Shop official UFC VIP Live Event Experiences, visit ufc.ac/3Oz2gLH
Connect with UFC online and on Social:
🔴 Website: www.ufc.com
🔵 Twitter: / ufc
🔵 Facebook: / ufc
🔴 Instagram: / ufc
🟡 Snapchat: UFC
🟣 Twitch: / ufc
Connect with UFC FIGHT PASS on Social:
🔵 Twitter: / ufcfightpass
🔵 Facebook: / ufcfightpass
🔴 Instagram: / ufcfightpass
#UFC #UFC281
Every Zhang’s octagon interview is so epic and dramatic. I always feeling huge empathy to her
She spoke about being grateful and her love of America and the love she’s getting from New York but the translator failed to properly translate
She's so well spoken
@@viktorcheng2061 I've seen some fighters go full paragraphs and the translation translated one sentence.🤣
I brought tears of joy to my eyes!!!
@@viktorcheng2061 I dislike her translator immensely. Why can’t she get gigachad someone… ANYONE teach him mandarin!!!!!!!
When I saw her effortlessly pick up Francis Ngannou, I knew there was no way Carla was gonna out grapple her. Great win!
She what Francis Ngannou? 🤨😬
@@remyhavoc4463 lifted him, seriously
I thought the same thing 😂 that’s freaky power. She’s half 🐜 or something
@@ahmadjauhar4562 FFS I need to see that!
@@ahmadjauhar4562 FFS I need to see that!
How can anyone not feel happy for Weili when she wins? Congrats champ 🏆🥇👏👍
Wish the belt had stayed with the US. But , Esparza DID have a second reign, however brief. And those who thought Esparza would go down with barely a fight were proven wrong
New York has adopted Zhang as one of their own
She’s not that hot though.
@@H.K.5 this is fighting not modeling 😂😂 its all about 🤛🏻 kill each other in the ring
Because she represents communist scum who torture and murder innocents
Weili’s improvement in her wrestling was amazing. Night and day from her and Rose’s second fight. She damn well deserved this championship!
shes getting trained by cejudo now. after since she lose to rose 2nd time
And improvement in English too
Weili doesn't just get into the top position and try to hold u down, that's the difference she's more of a fighter than a competitor.
@@thomasre7889 ur info is outdated. Cejudo only trained with her for several sessions during her camp before her second fight with Rose. For the recent two camps, she’s been training with the Hickman brothers who r know as the best wrestlers in the industry. The brothers r the owners of the Bang Tao gym in Phuket.
@@waynew2835 yep in Thailand
Balance is restored again in the universe.
Anytime I see Zhang's fight camp clips it amps me up -- the work and focus she puts in is inspiring
Yes,her BJJ style improve much in her last 2 fight, it's amazing
She said, last time when she won the belt in China, she felt she was China's Weili, and this time, she feels she is the world's weili！ Amazing game, amazing players！🥳🥳
She actually said that this time in New York, Americans are very supportive, she feels that she is not only representing chinese fans, but now represents fans worldwide
@@BingDwenDwen Same meaning.
@@1Invinc Not the same meaning because the fact that she now realizes she was representing fans worldwide is because the supportive reactions from american fans, so you have to emphasize that, otherwise the meaning is lost. If you leave that out then it sounds like Zhang Weili is declaring by herself to be a world class UFC superstar, but that is not what she meant to say.
Lol what?
Congrats to uncrowned champ who earned the right to become champ the most. Another domination by Zhang Weili 🇨🇳❤️👏👍
She quite honestly to me looks to be on the same tier or soon will be on the same tier as nunes or schvchenko. I hope she fights 3 times next year just to get the stack of W's going. So dynamic.
MAYBE HE IS WIN CAUSE WEILI HAVE SOME SECRET THING IN HIS BODY GIVE FROM MILITARY COMUNIST PARTY SCIENTIST LABORATORY
@@lobo_solo214 I WISH HER NOTHING BUT THE BEST I WANT HER TO BULD LEGACY❤ LOVE THAT WOMAN🫡🏆
She got owened by Rose x2. Lol. How the fck you can even say that
There is so many two time Champs in this division now. Rose, Carla, Weili.
Lol after Weili said “I finally come back” in English, she turned to her interpreter saying “what are the other questions? That’s all my English. ” in Chinese 😂 she is so authentic and adorable. I’m so glad she regained the belt🎉🎉 Btw her English improved so much and there is a vid about she learning English😂
Ew you're chinese? Dayum you know the whole of asians dont like you and never had.
@@Jason.cbr1000rr you know who asians don't really like jay??? your mom!!!!😀😁
@@tootspogsforever5590 who yours? Why what happen
She's adorable
Lmfao
That's the way the cookie crumbles, congrats Zhang :D
Zinggg
We didn't count out Esparza. We gave them BOTH a chance
I love how the translator was almost as psyched about the win
Bad translator though. Zhang spoke about her love of America and humbled for the love she’s getting back. She wants US to prosper. Translator failed to do his job
@@viktorcheng2061 he doesn’t want to disrespect China
@@Pineapplesthattalk Xi is watching. 🤣
@@viktorcheng2061 Please for the love of god sign up to be her translator!!!!
@@viktorcheng2061 "-10000 social credit points for Weili 😠😠😠" -🇨🇳
I am a huge fan of yours. Congrats on your win and I'm very happy to hear that New York has been so good to you! So awesome to hear that you're now the World's Weili and not just China's. Such wise and inspiring words.
wow. did not expect to see you here!!!!
Hey bro .. I'm also a fan of you and your work!
HOLY DAMN. I loved that fight. WELL DESERVED WIN !!
100th like!!!
She made Esparza fight fun. Her legacy is undeniable.
So proud of Weili she deserves it after all the setbacks and hard work she put in she will always be my favorite Strawweight win lose or draw can’t wait to see her back in action ❤️💯🔥👑
The way Weili beat Carla at ground is INSANE!!!!
Zhang Weili is like dragonball goku, she keeps improving after every comeback. Mark my word, this is not Weili final form! 🔥🔥🔥
Why because she’s Asian this guy
Like pikachu!
Absolutely love her, congrats Zhang!
That's a man.
@@thesnailiscoming..5736 china
Thing about Zhang, she never spoke about CCP, just about Chinese food and culture. She also trains in Thailand so that’s a no-no if she was CCP
@@viktorcheng2061 please don't bring politics into sports!
@@SYL7Tube she said she wishes the USA to prosper but the translator didn't translate it at all, the CCP would reduce his social credit score in a heartbeat
The champ has a name and it’s Zhang Weili
Please don’t
@@jonathanvaldez6565 don’t tell me what to do
@@tywhitson6776 please don’t
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! How she was so determined and I come back and win the belt back!!! We saw her training videos every week ha ha. She just never stopped training and believing!
Great win by Weili, I thought by TKO but by submission. I’m impressed because she’s a stand up fighter, her MMA skills has definitely evolved 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Zhang Weili has definitely improved and showed what a real champion needs to be. I said it all along that Esparza was a stand in champ and that Rose for whatever reason threw it away and for Weili to not only win but tap out someone like Esparza incredible
Rose is an event fighter. She has great highs but when there isn't a lot on the line she flat lines. Zhang is the more consistent performer.
@@knowsmebyname im ghe best IM THE BEST okno
Absolutely agree... 👍
I think stylistically Carla gives Rose trouble. Zero problem for Zhang. She's too physically strong.
@@KTF0 that may be true. I think Rose could have waxed her but you may be right. I am not an old timer. Been a fan since Conor, but you learn styles mean so much.
Clearly we could see that the Weili was going to win cuz Carla was having a hard time wrestling with her. Weili is also very strong physically and in the standing fight so there's no talk! Kudos to her, this win is no surprise to anyone!
Yes,despite our cheer to weili,let us also respect Carla as well!
He lift Francis Ngannou before the fight, so yeah but I'm surprised its a Sub though.
@@angryzombie8088 ye, I thought she would throw Carla to the fifth row
I knew weili is gonna win this but never thought her grappling has improved a lot, she is definitely a elite, movement, striking, and now grappling 👏
Yeah, I thought Carla was going to be pesky, when they started grappling my mind just immediately went "Wow, Carla has zero shot" Weili is so damn strong.
Yesss!!! Proves hard work and perseverance pays off. This lady deserves this, didn't give up. Well done champ.
It can, it doesn't always.
@@TheMeanArena True that :) but in this lady's case which is what i meant, it has. Hats off all round :)
Wow! So happy for Weili Zhang
an inspiration. so happy to see her not only win but over the years be respectful and kind. my favorite ufc fighter
This is the moment we have been waiting for!
@@CalvinW.Allison how so? rose gave it to carla, and carla giave it to zhang. maybe the question here is why rose did it at the first place
@@CalvinW.Allison Fine. Cry about it
@@CalvinW.Allison Please ask Rose why she gave the belt to Carla so easily? If Carla really earned it against Rose then Zhang would have been crumbled to pieces like the same treatment Carla gave to Yan Xiao Nan over here we know Carla tapped like a chicken the moment Zhang gets her back 😂
@@CalvinW.Allison And Marina just got humbled bozo.
We all love you Weili! Dream big!
The adrenaline rush is massive ❤
The new champion in the best women division 💪💪💪
You deserve it Zhang 👏
Good to hear the crowd support. She ran into a buzzsaw against Rose at the top of her popularity. But Weili is a great fighter and champion. Who deserves a cheer.
It is in New York, over 10% Asian & Chinese American population there & also more internationally oriented state. Other states like Florida where Trump the racist was based surely won't be.
@@YCHTT respectfully disagree. Sure NY is more international but Rose is a favorite child of these United (or used to be united anyway) States. It was just timing. Regardless Weili is a great fighter and a good ambassador for the sport.
Im so happy for Zhang 🎉❤😊
Yes,as she said now she is the weili of the world,no more just the weili of China,she is now a world class fighter!
I really dig Zhang, she puts in the work and always brings her best! She has a cool personality too, you just gotta love her.... 💯
Crazy watching her ground game and scrambles improve so fast. Congrats on the big win champ, great fight!
LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite strawweight in history!❤️
I’d like to see the trilogy with Thug in China
100%
Why would anyone want to see rose fight again? She put on one of the worst fights in the history of UFC she needs to beat someone else before another title shot
@@terdfergeson23 Doesn't work yhat way. UFC Likes money and Rose beat her twice. Its the only fight.
@@jd0604 first fight is lucky kick. Second fight, Zhang got robberd.... LOL
@@terdfergeson23 I agree, but that’s definitely the fight the UFC is going to make next. Hopefully in China though.
I hope people realize that it wasn't Carla, but Rose, who wasn't bringing the fight. And Rose still had the nerve to say that she hopes Carla doesn't make it (281) a boring fight😂 Weili was robbed in her second fight against Rose, imo, great to see her bounce back and prove she's the rightful champ🇨🇳 Much love for Weili, from South Africa 🇿🇦
Weili was robbed the second fight with rose!
100% deserves it!!! Been training so hard!!🤙🔥
I'm so happy for you Zhang Weili and very proud on how you came back and didn't give up! CONGRATULATIONS!
1st Woman to submit Esparza in the UFC. Esparza’s last submission loss was against Megumi Fujii (who is a pioneer and ATG of wmma) way back when. What a statement win.
Zhang's a beast, I knew she will be champ again. Also, is insane that Esparza managed to become a 2 time UFC champ. Props to her tho
A real humble powerful woman.
Very humble Zhang, well done totally deserved it
Magnum Zhang Weili! She finally got her belt back after so much loss. So happy for her.
Esparza survived longer than I expected
i just hope she took more damage 😅
😂😂
Zhang should have just done what JJ did stuff the takedown and just beat Carly on the feet, that would have been brutal for Carly.
@@asianconnection7701 Trust me,her getting submitted by a primary striker hurt her pride worse than being pounded out because she wanted to win that way instead.
@@wilykat Dumb gameplan by zhang.
so happy for her. love that she’s trying to learn english too… she’s just such a good fighter!
You won a fan here Weli. Congratulations!!!
Finally she's back 😭😭😭
So deserves it 💪 Well done Zhang Weili
Big from south east Asia....congrats champ ♥️♥️
A true champion! You are 💕 loved ❤️😍 Your fans love the honor you walk in. Congratulations champion Magnum Weili of the world! Wow!
Before the fight I said if Carla makes it through the first round I'll be impressed. Good job Carla but Zhang is a monster
Zhang was robbed in second fight against. I'm glad she got the belt back. She is an amazing champ
Was a close fight, so no
No she wasn't robbed. She lost.
@@memebro3181 That was a steal my friend, Weili Zhang cleary won the second fight with Rose Namajunas.
@@mechaaron No she didn't.
@@memebro3181 she did , bruv.
Not only his striking looked scary in the Joanna fight but now his BJJ looked elite in this fight. perfect performance by Zhang.
Her*
his? r u assuming their gender ? :d
@@narhankuul LMFAO
@@narhankuul that's homophobic,he might identify as trans unicorn 🦄and 8 years old hamster,guys show some respect to him
@@chilliboy8448 HAHAHAHA
I come back...now I feel like dream...everyday I dream this...well deserved champ👍👏
She out wrestle a grappler and submitted them. Amazing athlete!
An inspiring fighter big respect To weili proud to you in the Philippines🇵🇭💪😎✌️
Not many fighters get to put 2 time champion on their resumes. Zhang is in elite company. Congrats to the champ for pulling it out in dominant fashion.
That whole division is 2x champ lol
She is a very humble champion. Congratulations
She has a good personality.
Yup,Weili has fans and admirers world wide and I am one of them ;)
Wow, as both Chinese and English Speaker, I would like to say his translator is good~ Congradulatons~Zhang Weili~
Wherever you are Weili, we're still supporting you.. what a nice personality
Selamat buat Zhang 💪💪🔥🔥
a very kind and strong fighter!
I liked the part when Weili said, "It's Weilin time!" and started Weilin all over her opponent. Truly one of the MMA moments of all time.
I was waiting for Zhang to be the champion!! Now, go get Rose!!!
Make ROSE go to CHINA to fight ZHANG.
恭喜張偉丽！我們的冠軍！
I admire Carla, dude. She somehow managed to weasel her way to the title TWICE! 😂
Awesome Champion!
She had early success in her career. Then she ran into some serious adversity. Good to see Zhang work through her problems and obstacles. She is not afraid of hard work.
Positive attitude! Great women fighter of all time. Huge respect
Monster of a fight, so scrambly, so much energy. Was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
We love you Zhang. 🇨🇦
I absolutely love that the UFC brings great fighters from all around the world
Glad that we have an exciting champ again. Gotta appreciate the fun fighters.
CONGRATULATIONS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD WEILLI 🌎 👍
Weili won the second the contract was signed, absolute champ!
What a Champ 🙏🙌💯💪🥊🥋🎯🏆🌎⚖️
There's a NEW Strawweight QUEEN 👑 Weili, Valentina & Amanda are LEVELS ahead of the competition their respective divisions can offer them.
Lol, she was beaten two times by the real champ, dont forget it. Thug Rose can take that belt anytime.
1st was lucky, second was robbery. Even check the stats more strikes and takedown than rose. And Weili has evolved so much compared to rose last fight most boring fight in ufc.
@@penayecyrille9405 the real champ has 2 strikes per minute in her last match wow truly the champ
@@Asdfghjkl_2802 Fair points, but we need a third fight between them to close this debate
@@penayecyrille9405 Bro, Thug Rose is my ALL-TIME favourite female fighter and I'm telling you now, she ain't the 115lb GOAT no more.
Female Jackie Chan love and energy! Congrats champ 🏆 👏 💪
HOLLY WOW Goddamn main card today is crazy 🔥
Thats my Coach Chong Xie!!! Super happy for Zhang, Chong and the crew!
Thrilled to see the champ back on top. Well deserved. Hope to see her keep that strap for a long time. And new
We are so happy for Weili , she’s got her belt back , congrats Weili in the USA 🇺🇸
Weili ❤
It was only a matter of time. She's a freaking beast!!!!! The fact that she beat her at her own game! Congrats warrior 🙏 👋 🏆
You took the words out of my own mouth! She bested Carla at her own game!!
All these women UFC fighters are all so inspiring. So athletic, so much courage and incredible will.
Congratulations Lee ! A great moment !
Makes me happy makes me smile
I am so happy for Zhang weilli .
I knew she would do it Best fighter and person She deserves everything 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Good to see Zhang become a 2-time UFC champion by a winning performance leading to that submission win, thought she'd get it done by KO/TKO
Congratulations to you 🫰. You the best .
That RNC was CRAZY!!! 🤯
What heart and determination gets you
Much love from Nigeria Weili. Never give up. Congratulations
Zhang deserved her spot back as champ and she made it look almost as easy as Esparza’s last fight where Esparza didn’t even have to throw a single punch in 25 minutes to win. Congrats to the returning champ!
Oh, my god.... Weili sure came out on top, that's for sure. But, Esparza FOUGHT. Till the bitter end. She deserves credit for that
Congrats, well deserved