Weili Zhang made history Saturday morning in China, becoming the first-ever Chinese-born UFC champion in the main event of UFC Fight Night 157.
The card took place from the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Arena in Shenzhen, China. The entire card aired live on ESPN+ and marked the first time the Octagon has made an appearance in Shenzhen.
Zhang quickly went after Jessica Andrade, finishing her with a flurry of strikes in just 42 seconds, much to the delight of the home fans.
“I made a commitment (last time I was in China) that I’m going to be the first-ever champion of the Chinese fighters,” Zhang said, who has now won 20 fights in a row since losing her pro debut. “Now, I made it. Thank you everyone. My name is Zhang Weili, I’m from China. Remember me.”
Weili Zhang, Jessica Andrade Post-Fight Interviews
Andrade had won the belt in her native country of Brazil earlier this year when she finished Rose Namajunas. The loss ended her four-fight win streak. Related: ONE’s Bi Nguyen Excited For Upcoming Bout
“I’m happy to have fought here,” Andrade said. “If she gives me a rematch, it would be an honor. It could be here in China, Brazil, the United States. I don’t mind fighting here again.”
Related: Jessica Andrade’s Finish Of Rose Namajunas
In the co-main event, Li Jingliang scored a finish vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, stopping the welterweight contest with just nine seconds remaining in the third round. Jinglinag, also from China, has now won three consecutive fights including back-to-back finishes.
Li Jingliang Celebrates With Family
Kai Kara-France and Kenan Song each picked up unanimous decisions over Mark De La Rosa and Derrick Krantz, with Mizuki Inoue kicking off the main card with a split decision vs. Wu Yanan. Related: History To Be Made At UFC Fight Night 157
Anthony Hernandez, Mudaerji Su, Da Un Jung, Damir Ismagulov, Alateng Heili and Karolline Rosa Cavedo all had wins on the prelims. Hernandez locked in an anaconda choke to finish Jun Yong Park in the second and Jung choked out Khadis Ibragimov with a standing guillotine choke in the third.
UFC Fight Night 157: Andrade Vs. Zhang Results
Weili Zhang def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) at :42 of Round 1 to become UFC strawweight champion
Li Jingliang def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of Round 3
Kai Kara-France def. Mark De La Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kenan Song def. Derrick Krantz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mizuki Inoue def. Wu Yanan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Anthony Hernandez def. Jun Yong Park via submission (anaconda choke) at 4:39 of Round 2
Mudaerji Su def. Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
Da Un Jung def. Khadis Ibragimov via submission (standing guillotine choke) at 2:00 of Round 3
Damir Ismagulov def. Thiago Moises via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Alateng Heili def. Danaa Batgerel via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Karolline Rosa Cavedo def. Lara Fritzen Procopio via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)