Weili Zhang jokes about Cejudo challenging women: 'I can't wait to see you in the women's uniform'

W. Zhang at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC

The new straw champion (up to 52,1kg.), Weili Zhang, as soon as he took office and tried to place the 'Triple C' (three times champion), Henry Cejudo, in its proper place. Aware of the North American's recent challenges to the Ultimate champions, the Chinese mocked another of the challenges made by the athlete to a woman, holder of one of the organization's titles. The statement was made at the press conference after UFC Shenzen, last weekend.

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“Welcome to the women’s division! I can't wait to see you wearing the UFC bra (top) in the octagon”, said the new champion.

Although the Chinese woman reacted with good humor, Henry's challenges, who have already instigated duels against Valentina Shevchenko (fly champion) and Amanda nunes (owner of the bantamweight belt), have not been well seen in the eyes of some critics of the sport. The North American's statements even sounded bad to Dana White, who called the episode 'crazy' and immediately ruled out any possibility of a man facing a woman in the UFC.

One of Henry's coaches, realizing the negative repercussions of his pupil's statements, insisted that everything was not a play so that the athlete could get closer to Valentina Shevchenko, who, according to coach Cejudo, would be interested in. Among women, Weili has just accomplished a great feat.

In her fourth appearance for Ultimate, the fighter managed to become the first Chinese UFC champion. Zhang took the Brazilian title Jessica Stacker in less than a minute of combat, after ambushing the Paraná native in a sequence of hard blows, which led to the athlete being knocked out in the first round.

The idea of ​​having a champion representing the most populous country in the world fits the UFC board like a glove, which must now try to make the most of business involving the fighter and also invest in the emergence of new local talent.