Coming off her dominant title defense at UFC 312, Zhang Weili spoke to Global Times on Thursday about her future in the sport. With another challenger defeated, the conversation has naturally shifted to what’s next for the two-time UFC strawweight champion—and many fans and analysts believe there’s only one fight left to determine the true pound-for-pound queen in women’s MMA: a superfight against Valentina Shevchenko.
Zhang has long been ranked #2 in the UFC’s official P4P rankings, sitting just behind the dominant flyweight champion Shevchenko. With both women reigning over their respective divisions, a champion vs. champion showdown seems inevitable. And if the opportunity arises, Zhang is all in.
“If I move up a weight class to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, it would be an amazing fight. Shevchenko is incredibly skilled, having defended her title multiple times with a wealth of experience and a well-rounded skill set. If the timing is right, this fight will definitely happen.”
While superfights often come with heated rivalries, Zhang’s desire to face Shevchenko comes from a different place—respect. She isn’t looking for drama; she simply wants to test herself against the best. That same respect and sportsmanship was on display following her battle with Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312. After a grueling fight, Zhang ran into Suarez at a restaurant later that night and, despite feeling hesitant at first, decided to offer her a moment of kindness.
“When I ran into Suarez and her family at the restaurant, I felt a bit shy and didn’t know how to greet them or offer any comfort. But then I thought it over and decided I should just give her a hug.”
“We’re opponents in the Octagon, but once we’re off the stage, we’re friends. I care deeply about Suarez’s injury, and I really hope she recovers quickly.”
For Zhang, the competition stays inside the cage—outside of it, respect always comes first.
While Zhang remains laser-focused on her fighting career, she also made it clear that she has interests beyond the Octagon. She’s already accomplished so much in MMA, and when the time comes, she’s eager to explore other passions.
“In the future, I want to explore new challenges, like acting, surfing, and skiing—life isn’t just about fighting in the ring.”
It’s a rare glimpse into the mindset of a fighter who has spent years dedicated to perfecting her craft, yet is beginning to think about what’s next. While Zhang hasn’t indicated she’s retiring anytime soon, her words suggest she’s aware that there’s more to life than fighting. Whether her next move is a superfight with Valentina Shevchenko, another title defense at strawweight, or simply enjoying new experiences outside of MMA, one thing is certain—she’s not done yet.