Strawweight champion, Weili Zhang says she is open to a trilogy with Rose Namajunas

Foto: Reprodução / Instagram

Defeated in two fights against Rose namajunas, Weili Zhang still has scores to settle with the North American company. Current strawweight champion (up to 52,1kg), the Chinese woman welcomes the possibility of creating a trilogy with her former rival. In an interview with 'The MMA Hour', the fighter spoke about the eventual reunion.

“I still want to fight her again. For sure. Maybe not during the next title defense. I know we’re going to bump into each other again”, declared the Chinese woman.

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Knowing that she has once again become the category's new target, Weili spoke about the pressure of being a UFC champion and how her mind is prepared to deal with the adversities of MMA.

“I have no pressure now. I want to be the old version of myself. The belt is just something that motivates me to keep improving and training. I know I won't be champion forever. Every day at the UFC Performance Institute I see photos of famous fighters, Hall of Fame members, historic athletes and I know they weren't champions forever. One day the same will happen to me. So my focus now is to move forward”, declared the champion.

Rivalry only in the octagon

At the beginning of the year, Rose ended up losing the belt to Carla esparza, in a fight that was highly criticized by most MMA fans and experts. At the time, the performance of 'Thug Rose' was judged as 'weak, excessively defensive and out of character'. In defense of the American, Zhang said she understands the reason for the athlete's poor performance.

“I've already experienced the same thing. Once you become champion, the belt becomes a huge pressure for you to carry. I've felt this before. So I kind of understand the fighting style she adopted. That Rose wanted to keep the belt, but that way it’s impossible”, commented Zhang.

Rose namajunas hasn't fought again since losing the belt to Carla esparza, in May this year, in the 274th edition of the UFC. The athlete's next clash will be in a grappling event, 'Fury', where she will face Gillian robertson, on the 30th.

The champion continues to wait for the next challenger for the strawweight belt to be determined.