Report: Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang Being Finalized for Shenzhen, China
After becoming UFC Champion at home, Jessica Andrade now defends her crown on the road, taking on Weili Zhang in Shenzhen, China.
After winning the title at home, UFC Strawweight Jessica Andrade is reportedly headed on the road for her first title defense.
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Andrade (20-6) is set to headline UFC Fight Night Shenzhen, taking on Weili Zhang in her home country of China. The report states that while the fight isn’t yet officially signed, it is “nearly official” and will take place on August 31st, airing on ESPN+.
Andrade claimed the title in unforgettable fashion, knocking out Rose Namajunas with a violent slam and in dramatic fashion, becoming UFC Champion. That was Andrade’s 4th straight victory, winning seven of her eight fights since moving to 115 lbs. She now enters a new chapter as titleholder though, looking to make her first defense in China.
Zhang (19-1) enters in elite form of her own, impressively going without a defeat since her 2013 debut. Since arriving in the octagon, Zhang has won three straight, most recently outpointing Tecia Torres at UFC 235. Zhang’s 2nd most notable win came only months prior, submitting Jessica Aguilar at UFC Fight Night China.
This is only the 2nd fight publicly penciled in for the ESPN+ event, joining a Women’s Flyweight bout between Luana Carolina and Yanan Wu.
