UFC -Master Zhang Weili explains dismissal, Eyes Flyweight -Titelkamp with UFC 312 Win

UFC Master Zhang Weili has high hopes of her fighting career that goes on and wants to make it clear that her inactivity is not her decision.

Zhang is ready to return to action this Saturday as she defends her strawweight title against the undefeated Tatiana Suarez in the Co-Main event of the UFC 312 in Sydney. In his latest excursion, Zhang Yan Xiaonan dominated for a unanimous decision gain at UFC 300 in April, but fans have wondered why the two-time champion has not competed since then. “Magnum” says it’s because she thought the possibility of becoming a two-division champion was on the table, but it never turned out.

“This is actually a very long story,” Zhang told MMA, who fought via a mandarin translator. “I would fight more, but because what UFC has arranged for me, and also depending on my potential opponent if they will fight for me when they will fight for me, so that’s why I’ve only fought once last year , because it’s out of my control.

“I work, I was thinking of another match last year, but there are so many changes that yes, I did not fight. That’s why I was in the sphere in Vegas and saw the fight between (Alexa) Grasso and Valentina (Shevchenko). I was thinking of fighting another match, but didn’t happen. “

Now Zhang is facing Suarez – who gets her first Octagon performance since a win in August 2023 over former champion Jessica Andrade at UFC Nashville – in her second title defense. The 34-year-old Suarez has overcome serious injuries to enable himself to compete for his first UFC title.

Despite her inactivity, Zhang believes the UFC called the right call to give Suarez the shot over Virna Jandiroba, and believes the 10-0 competitor may be her toughest test to date.

“I think Tatiana is very different from all my other opponents because my other opponents are not as high in wrestling and fighting like Tatiana,” Zhang said. “So fighting Tatiana actually makes me more focused on my wrestling and fighting and making me a better fighter. This pressure became my motivation and makes me a better fighter. “

Zhang is focused on the difficult task, but thinks of her future as one of the best warriors in the world.

When asked if a win over Suarez would be her last match on Strawweight instead of a Champ vs. Champ fight with Valentina Shevchenko at 125 pounds, Zhang says she is not sure how the promotion will lean.

“I think it still depends on UFC’s arrangement, because many times what I want to do is not happening, so I can’t call the shot,” Zhang said.

But what if she could call the shot?

“Yes, I think if I can make the decision, I think it’s probably my last match (by 115 with a win).”