- China’s first UFC champion initially denied visa to enter US but now on promotional tour
- ‘I think sport is a very good way to bind two countries and people who don’t share the same concept’
Fresh off her historic title win in Shenzhen, UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili hopes she can help repair relations between China and the US.
The 30-year-old " China's first UFC champion " is in the States for a promotional tour, having finally been granted a visa after venting her frustration on social media about being denied entry multiple times since her momentous August 31 coronation.
"Yeah, hopefully I can be the bridge between our country and the US," she told TMZ Sports.
"Because I think sport definitely is a very good way to bind two countries and the people that don't share the same religion or concept, but through the sport we can combine together."
Zhang also responded to Joanna Jedrzejczyk's call out. The former champion demanded a shot at "Magnum" after earning a dominant unanimous decision win against Michelle Waterson.
"For Joanna, I don't think she's the fighter she used to be, she's not in the condition she used to be," Zhang said. "I'm not very interested.
Chinese UFC champion Zhang Weili denied US visa
"Definitely she needs me more than I need her. She's struggling in the division to fight me. I don't know whether I'll give her the chance."
Zhang said if she had to choose an opponent to defend her title against in her division she would give Rose Namajunas " who dethroned Joanna " the next shot.
"If I had the chance I'd to go up a weight class and fight the best, I think Valentina Shevchenko is one of the best female fighters," she said.
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