History will happen this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 157, as the promotion debuts in Shenzhen.
And the UFC is bringing an interesting contest to the region for the headline act.
UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade will defend her title against Weili Zhang from inside the Shenzhen Universade Sports Centre Arena in Guangdong, China. The card airs live on ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN.
The 27-year-old Andrade makes her first defense since winning the belt in impressive fashion back at UFC 237 in May with a second round knockout via slam over Rose Namajunas. She has won four in a row, including victories over Namajunas, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Tecia Torres and Claudia Gadelha since a five-round decision loss to then-champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Related: UFC 237 Results: Jessica Andrade Slams Way To Championship
Andrade will also be returning the favor, as she won the belt from Namajunas in her native country of Brazil.
Related: Jessica Andrade Shows Off UFC Title, Naked Body (Picture)
Zhang, a 30-year-old from China, has picked up three consecutive wins inside the Octagon since signing with the UFC, topping Torres, Jessica Aguilar via submission and Danielle Taylor. Overall, she is 19-1, winning 19 consecutive fights since a decision loss in her pro debut in 2013.
Prelims Feature Several Fresh Faces
The card will have a distinct Chinese flavor, as Li Jingliang meets Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in the co-main event. Other bouts scheduled include Kai Kara-France vs. Mark De La Rosa, Zhenhong Lu vs. Movsar Evolev and Yanan Wu vs. Mizuki Inoue to complete the main card.
The prelims are filled with new fighters for the most part with Andre Soukhamthath, Derrick Krantz and Kenan Song among the notable names.
Below is the current fight card for the event, which bright and early at 3 a.m. ET Saturday morning on ESPN with the prelims and continues on ESPN+ with the main card at 6 a.m. ET.
UFC Fight Night 157: Andrade Vs. Zhang
MAIN CARD
UFC Strawweight Championship
Jessica Andrade (c) vs. Weili Zhang
Welterweight: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Li Jingliang
Flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Mark De La Rosa
Featherweight: Zhenhong Lu vs. Movsar Evoloev
Female Flyweight: Yanan Wu vs. Mizuki Inoue
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight: Kenan Song vs. Derrick Krantz
Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez vs. Jun Yong Park
Bantamweight: Mudaerji Su vs. Andre Soukhamthath
Light Heavyweight: Da Un Jung vs. Khadis Ibragimov
Lightweight: Damir Ismagulov vs. Thiago Moises
Female Bantamweight: Karolline Rosa Cavedo vs. Lara Fritzen Procopio
Bantamweight: Batgerel Danaa vs. Heili Alateng
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