Flying the Flag for China: UFC's Groundbreaking Champion Embraces Bruce Lee's Spirit
From distributing flyers in a subway station to becoming a legendary figure in women's MMA, Zhang Weili's remarkable journey showcases her transformation Influenced by Bruce Lee and the power of meditation, she has carved her path as a force to be reckoned with in the world of mixed martial arts
Zhang Weili, who used to distribute flyers to busy commuters at her local subway station ten years ago, has now established herself as one of the most accomplished female mixed-martial arts (MMA) fighters in the history of the sport.
Hailing from China's northern Hebei province, Zhang holds the distinction of being her country's sole champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an American-based promotion renowned for its competitive MMA matches.
In August, Zhang successfully defended her strawweight title against Amanda Lemos from Brazil, with an impressive performance that led UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan to proclaim her as "possibly the greatest of all time." Zhang's display also set a new record for the largest strike differential between opponents in any UFC fight, regardless of gender. Her remarkable achievement stands out in a sport known for its hyperbole and boastful personalities.
Zhang, speaking to CNN from the Black Tiger Fight Club in Beijing, shared his thoughts on the fight, stating, "Our preparations and tactics were impeccable. I must admit, Lemos displayed an impressive level of tenacity and earned my respect. Although I'm still experiencing some discomfort in my elbow during training."
It was a triumphant comeback for Zhang as she recaptured her title in a mesmerizing fashion. She had previously captured the historic belt on her native soil in 2019, only to surrender it in a dramatic US vs China showdown where she suffered a crushing defeat via a head-kick knockout. The intensity of the event left her emotionally drained and burdened with pressure.
Chinese UFC women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili at the Black Tiger Fight Club in Beijing.
Mengchen Zhang/CNN
Zhang's adversary, Rose Namajunas, a Lithuanian-American, had employed the phrase "better dead than red" in an interview before their fight. This line, derived from the era of the Cold War, served as a general reference to communists. Adding to the intensity, the crowd in Jacksonville, Florida, displayed a hostile atmosphere on the day of the fight.
Nevertheless, Zhang firmly states that she has never experienced being trapped amidst China-US tensions. Regardless of her location in the world, she perceives a sense of friendliness around her.
The defeat to Namajunas forced Zhang to fight her way back into the race for the title and regain her global recognition. Numerous people believed that her time as a champion was finished, and this belief was only reinforced when her rematch with Namajunas, held seven months later, ended in another defeat.
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Zhang, also known as "Magnum," used to have an intense fear of losing his belt. However, he realized that allowing fear to control him hindered his ability to effectively utilize his skills. He understands that fear prevents him from taking necessary actions. Thankfully, he no longer carries this burden.
So what is the secret to her emphatic bounce-back?
The Black Tiger Fight Club MMA gym in Beijing is where China's first and only UFC champion, Zhang Weili, trains.
Mengchen Zhang/CNN
Bruce Lee and meditation
Zhang has learned to block out pre-fight "distractions" via a combination of meditation and channeling her inner Bruce Lee.
"When I began my meditation journey, I experienced back cramps just after five minutes," Zhang recalled, as coach Cai Xuejun had introduced them to this practice.
In our fast-paced lives, finding a moment to sit down, close our eyes, and engage in self-reflection becomes a rarity. We are always on the move, preoccupied with inconsequential matters.
How often do we genuinely converse with ourselves? Personally, it rarely occurs to me. It involves introspection and achieving equilibrium between progress and stillness, exhilaration and serenity.
Similar to her ability to maintain equilibrium between constant motion and tranquility, Zhang also derives energy from both fire and water.
In the ring, everything operates on instinct, according to Zhang. "You must detach yourself from any preconceived notions and react purely based on your instincts. It's similar to how you instinctively recoil when touched by fire."
For Zhang, this entails releasing the concept of individuality and striving for a state of "egolessness." The key to achieving this is to embrace the essence of being fluid, akin to "water."
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Zhang referenced the famous words of Bruce Lee, saying, "Embrace the fluidity, my friend. Instead of relying on specific tactics, be adaptable like water, conforming to any container you find yourself in."
Looking virtually invincible in the Octagon of late, Zhang says she has been conquering a very different battle: how to draw on eyebrows.
The Black Tiger Fight Club training area in Beijing, China.
Mengchen Zhang/CNN
"I love feeling beautiful, just like any other girl," she remarked, gracefully pointing towards her face.
"As you can see, I've put on makeup and styled my hair specifically for this interview. Yesterday, I decided to wear a skirt for the first time in two decades. It was such a revitalizing experience."
Zhang chuckled as she mentioned, "I'm actually considering learning makeup next. When I was younger, I used to invite girls over and apply lipstick and do their eyebrows. However, now I struggle to even do my own makeup!"
Having lacked dolls to play with as a child, Zhang found solace in playing dress-up with her female companions.
Zhang sees no contradiction in fighting both relentlessly in the cage while staying firmly in touch with her feminine side.
Her underlying message for Chinese women is to not be pigeonholed.
"Women shouldnt be defined in the first place," Zhang said. "Everyone is unique. Were living in a very open society with many opportunities to do whatever you want."
