One bout removed from a five-round battle that was 2020’s “Fight of the Year,” Weili Zhang saw a 21-bout winning streak end in stunning fashion at UFC 261.
Zhang relinquished her strawweight crown when she was stopped by a Rose Namajunas head kick and follow-up hammerfists just 1:18 into the opening round of Saturday’s co-main event at Vystar Veteran’s Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It was Zhang’s first appearance since defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk via unanimous decision in an instant classic at UFC 248 in March 2020.
Though Zhang initially protested the stoppage, she later released a statement on Instagram congratulating Namajunas and expressing belief in her own ability to bounce back from defeat.