UFC 281 star was involved in brutal battle that left both fighters completely disfigured

Zhang Weili is set for a huge opportunity this weekend after earning a shot at the strawweight championship when she faces Carla Esparza at UFC 281. Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas earlier this year, who had taken the belt from Weili 18 months ago.

After Esparza defeated Namajunas on a much-maligned bout between the two, with very little action in which UFC president Dana White described as ‘weird’ before stating he had no interest in seeing a rematch, Weili was the next women up to face the champion.

Weili has an incredibly impressive record with 22 wins to just three losses – her first coming on her debut nine years ago – as she has been apart of some fascinating bouts over the years.

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But none were as brutal as her victory over the legendary Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Weili’s first ever title defence after winning the belt from Jessica Andrade.

The fight was as back and forth as you’ll ever see in any combat sports, with both women standing in the pocket and trading huge blows as they constantly looked for the blow to end the fight.

Both women would inflict a severe amount of punishment on one another, with huge and heavy blows throughout the five rounds, with it being difficult to declare a winner. But it would be Weili who retained her title via a split decision.

After the bout, the two women suffered severe facial injuries, looking almost unrecognisable.

The bout is considered by many analysts as the greatest fight in women’s MMA history – winning UFC’s fight of the year in 2020.

The two would rematch this past year, with Weili again winning, this time by a spinning backfist knockout, after which Jedrzejczyk retired in the octagon after an incredible career.

Weili will be back in the octagon for the first time this Saturday, co-main event’ing the card with Israel Adesanya facing long-term rival Alex Pereira for the first time in the UFC after their kickboxing bouts years ago.