UFC 300: Women’s Strawweight Title Fight has Historical Implications
Zhang Weili of China poses on the scale during the UFC 281 ceremonial weigh-in at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, November 11, 2022. /CFP (via CTGN.com)
UFC President Dana White announced the first title fight being added to the highly anticipated UFC 300 card on Thursday night. White posted a video via X announcing that Weili Zhang will defend her Strawweight title against Yan Xiaonan, which is historically significant for the promotion. This is the first time two Chinese fighters will compete for a UFC title in the company’s history.
Zhang, who is a two time Strawweight champion looks to defend her title for the second time since recapturing the belt in 2022. Her first defense came against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in early 2023 in a dominant performance that saw her out strike Lemos 163-24 en route to a unanimous decision victory. Zhang was also the first Chinese fighter to capture UFC gold in August 2019 when she knocked out Jessica Andrade in the first round.
Xiaonan has also put together quite an impressive resume despite not being able to capture the Strawweight title. She is coming off a first round knockout of Andrade in May 2023, in a fight where she was a 2 to 1 underdog. Xiaonan also has wins over many division mainstays such as Angela Hill, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Mackenzie Dern.
This fight joins many other highly anticipated bouts that have been added to UFC 300, which includes the return of former champions Charles Oliveira and Aljamain Sterling as well as rising contender Bo Nikal.
This matchup will be a big test for Xiaonan’s grappling, as Zhang has dominated credentialed wrestlers in the division such as Carla Esparza. However, Xiaonan’s striking is some of the best in the Strawweight division, and will look to use her length to pick apart Zhang on the outside.
Although UFC 300 still has yet to announce a headliner as of right now, big names such as Leon Edwards, who is the Welterweight Champion and combat sports superstar Nate Diaz have been rumored as potential candidates to headline the event. UFC 300 will take place on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
