How Zhang Weili Went From a Desk Job to Strawweight Champion

How Zhang Weili Went From a Desk Job to Strawweight Champion | UFC Connected

Рет қаралды 91,878

Күн бұрын

From UFC Connected, we dive into the relationship between Zhang Weili and Cai Xuejun and discover how they built Weili’s impressive career, crowning her the first-ever Chinese champion in UFC history. Watch the full episode here ➡ • Ronda Rousey, Amanda N...
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Пікірлер: 239

@sharonshinde9640 2 жыл бұрын

Life changing quote by Weili's coach 'You can earn money but not time.' Such a display of pure love, hard work and determination by the coach and Zhang Weili. I wish she beats Rose Namajunas and punches her name as the best Strawweight Fighter of All Time.

@KingHayabusa384 Жыл бұрын

Zhang is the reason why I got into watching the UFC again. Her style, her personality, she's the total package.

@horrifyinggelatinousblob 2 жыл бұрын

We love the queen of violence. One of the FEW women champs who fights to kill or be killed, not stealing rounds and point fighting.

@thisisutubnottwitterwhyhandles 2 жыл бұрын

While also being so wholesome and adorable outside the cage.

@Anduehan97 2 жыл бұрын

SALUTE ✊

@birdboyzback154 2 жыл бұрын

69th like ✊

@emulation2369 2 жыл бұрын

She is not a killer, she is s warrior, really respectful and humble

@JakeRichardson3d 2 жыл бұрын

Backfist was straight combat experience. 🙃

@divertiti 2 жыл бұрын

Fighting 11 times in a year, what a savage. Best of luck Weili, you're a very special someone's favorite fighter.

@robert2690 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty common actually if you are fighting tuna cans. Every athlete does this. But to be a champion, you are fighting the same athletes that does the same things as you did up to this point. Now, there’s real competition. Congrats to anyone who become a champion in an industry that may or may not be sustainable

@goodworld8654 2 жыл бұрын

most ufc athletes are on peds. all top ufc athletes are on peds.

@DukeMadDuck 2 жыл бұрын

@@goodworld8654 then why not everybody has been suspended bybusada ?

@bryanerkel5847 2 жыл бұрын

@@robert2690 "tuna cans" . Im sure everybody thought of her as a "can" to, she even lost the first fight, dont try to diminish what shes done, those fighters that used to fight 3times a day are savages, any opponent can give you a ko and change your career forever.

@1ewi5 2 жыл бұрын

@@Ljfsmith You have no idea how frequent they are being tested these days. There's no hiding.

@brandonhickman3477 Жыл бұрын

Easily my favorite female MMA fighter of all time, there is no one else like her. Its amazing to think there was a time where UFC fans didn't like this woman, but it warms my heart to see the international MMA community acknowledge that she's the real deal after she grinded and proved it fight after fight.

@KnowledgeOnRoses 2 жыл бұрын

She’s the reason I’m into mma, my favorite fighter ever!! 🔥💪

@matimbabaloyi2916 2 жыл бұрын

Her coach is an amazing dude im so happy for thier success she deserves it she fights like she has nothing to loose and i love that.

@kerbyfab 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite fighters! Love Zhang… she’s a true champion with a heart of a lion! 💪🏼

@Satsuionly 2 жыл бұрын

Man she inspired me massively I became a fan bc of her and now I’m thinking of training. I hope she stays champ she embodies what it is to be champion in life. ❤

@michaelmcclenon6663 2 жыл бұрын

I think she is really a spy for china

@Virgin_Buoy_69 2 жыл бұрын

Autograph please ? 🙏🙏

@chatter4427 2 жыл бұрын

👏

@wonkiestwook2103 2 жыл бұрын

amazing story. insane wisdom from her coach.

@nemesisraleng17 2 жыл бұрын

"My name is Zhang Weili. I am from China. Remember me." 🔥

@aznduro 2 жыл бұрын

Zhang embodies a true champ.

@ogundipedaniel4991 2 жыл бұрын

I love weili so much, watching this made me cry because how can you not see this woman and be a better human?❤️

@andrewf6111 2 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah everybody like this video let's show UFC we love Zhang!

@claln_R6 2 жыл бұрын

Weili is so inspirational yet super intimidating! She improves every day and we witness it every single fight. I hope Weili could one day challenge flyweight championship!

@j8y8ird80 Жыл бұрын

How could you not appreciate this woman in MMA?

@HongKong-rw5qu Жыл бұрын

Couldn't imagine how she faced those cyberbullies after losing to Rose the first time, she was upset enough... Glad that she got a wise coach, guiding her through this.

@realgoodmind 2 жыл бұрын

How can you not have Weili as one of your favorite fighters in the UFC? She is everything that fight fans love about the sport. Can't wait to see her and Rose #3

@matrix35 2 жыл бұрын

Hope she keeps the belt for a long time. Ive been a Rose fan from day one but Zhang has really grown on me as a fighter and as a human where as my feelings towards Rose have changed alot. I didn't like the way she thought she was robbed the last fight , her political views especially towards Zhangs country and Pat Barry has become more delusional over the years trying to be the centre of attention.

@norrisnovs3107 2 жыл бұрын

Rose should not get a title shot next. She needs to earn it especially after how she did against Carla.

@mig1017 2 жыл бұрын

Yeh that's true. Zhang has never even bought up politics, yet Rose felt the need to target her just because she's born in said country.

@podcat0185 2 жыл бұрын

Don't mention Zhang and that stupid ass Karen cry baby in the same sentence, please

@musiccitymadman2023 Жыл бұрын

@norrisnovs3107 why ?? Just because of one bad fight. JJ and weili came back after a long time off fought one fight then on to a shot at the belt. Sounds like your a rose hating weili fan. What if we felt that after weili was head kicked out within the first few seconds she shouldn't have another shot .all fighters have a bad fight sometimes.

@TheMicrolearningChannel 26 күн бұрын

Their mentorship/partnership is beyond inspirational. Adding Zhang AND Cai to my vision board. I think we all need someone to show up for us, set the bar high and believe that we can make it. (This brings tears to my eyes.) And since I know that Zhang reads the comments 😂 既然我知道张会看评论，他们的指导和合作关系简直是超越了励志本身。我要把张和蔡都加到我的愿景板上。我们每个人都需要一个能支持我们、为我们设定高标准，并且相信我们能成功的人。（这让我感动得热泪盈眶。）

@negativegains4883 2 жыл бұрын

fk almost cried when she said she wanted to retire lol

@Jman12187 2 жыл бұрын

She is absolutely one of my favorite champions and I will never miss a fight of hers ! 去万能

@floorcats 2 жыл бұрын

Watching this on break from my desk job lol

@himanisingh2932 2 жыл бұрын

Gosh how can you not love this girl! So inspiring!

@fenyx6573 2 жыл бұрын

Pure heart. Such an awesome talent that seems like an equally awesome person.

@thisisutubnottwitterwhyhandles 2 жыл бұрын

UFC 268 was the first UFC event I ever properly watched live on PPV, and seeing all the Americans just jumping on her because she's Chinese, on top of the fact that Rose is a snoozefest and she got robbed made me an instant fan. At the time I had absolutely no idea what women's divisions there were, who were the champions, all the context surrounding them, so it was a blank slate coming into that fight, and Weili won me over.

@oldschoolpaulie 2 жыл бұрын

"All of the Americans just jumping on her because she's Chinese?" I'm American, and I admin the biggest facebook fan group for her.

@nres1 2 жыл бұрын

@@oldschoolpaulie you killed the debate 😂 dammmmn

@InfernalBleeding1 2 жыл бұрын

Funny UFC 248 was my first one watched live, and her vs Joanna was fight of the night, absolutely adored, hell if it weren't for that fight I might not be as big of a fan as I am now because it truly blew me away! So I like that we both became big fans for vastly different reasons

@xxxNailbombxxx 2 жыл бұрын

Rose in absolute snoozefest lmao, she KO'd Weili in the first fight and beat her on the rematch, before that she smoked Joanna twice, one by ko, and 2nd in a five round war, destroyed Waterson and PVZ, one off night in the office against Carla and all of a sudden she's a snoosefest, lol gtfo

@podcat0185 2 жыл бұрын

@@xxxNailbombxxx dry your salty ass tears and go cry on your favorite karen's video, then lmfaoooo

@mig1017 2 жыл бұрын

Love watching Zhang fight, she's always brings it and her training is super intense. Class fighter

@colostrum590 2 жыл бұрын

Weili vs lemos who do you think would win and in what round?

@meandmyrecords5481 2 жыл бұрын

Really respect Zhang. Beautiful fighter and characther. Love from Amsterdam

@真是老二次元了 2 жыл бұрын

Champ in UFC and in life! She keeps getting better she’s amazing

@unrivaledgator.3010 2 жыл бұрын

MAgnum's path was hard , but kept her honest. She's truly a professional martial artist, and is loyal to her fans her team and country, and loves this sport for making her into an asian icon

@jinku77 2 жыл бұрын

Great master for a great warrior. One of my favorite female fighters

@AlexHernandez-gn6rd 2 жыл бұрын

She truly is... A champion at life. Weili is the champ you all wanted rose to be. That girl rose.... Doesn't compare to weili at all

@Acyoutube2000 2 жыл бұрын

I mean, she made Weill accumulate sooo much Brain damage when she Knocked her out stiff, Then Defeated her in the rematch rounds 2, 4 and 5. Weill ain't got that Champion Aura right now because Rose is a better fighter than her!

@sfer1 2 жыл бұрын

I never wanted to Rose to be less skilled and on the juice. That being said, it seems to me that Rose could never decide if she wanted to be a fighter or not. Weili will never be as good as Rose, but at least she wants to fight. I give you that.

@AlexHernandez-gn6rd 2 жыл бұрын

@@Acyoutube2000 yeah that's why rose last fight was amazing huh ? Saddest MMA fight ever

@chnnychnnnchnnn 2 жыл бұрын

@@sfer1 wEiLi WilL nEvEr Be As gOoD as RoSe, the fact u think Rose is levels above Weili shows u how delusional her fan base is, i feel sorry for yall.

@acerazak4087 2 жыл бұрын

@@sfer1 Rose vs Zhang 2 was very competitive close match, Rose able to win by takedown at the last minute, she tried the same thing to Carla n it failed miserably

@MusicforMe123 2 жыл бұрын

A true champion is one who starts from the bottom then climbs to the top then losses it all and have the will to climb that same mountain to regain that top spot once again.

@TLNetworkGuru Жыл бұрын

Best of the Best. Few will ever know that feeling. Weili has known it at least twice if not more.

@minteherms6784 2 жыл бұрын

Omg she fought 11 times in 2017!!! 🤯🤯🤯 I guess if you need money you really need it. But you still to fight all these fights. She is a beast

@HereticVoice 2 жыл бұрын

UFC really knows how to produce top notch documentaries. Fan of Weili, more in love with the production crew

@johanskoog875 2 жыл бұрын

She is awesome!

@brianjackson2676 Жыл бұрын

oh, wow this girl is insane i totally love her and her coach is very humble and noble like she said...i hope you have a long and successful career. you deserve it with how hard you worked for it. Big fan from Canada. I get so excited and pumped up while watching your fight CHAMP.

@daveomacron4301 Жыл бұрын

So many great fighters in the UFC, fighters who are also great human beings. While it would be difficult to choose one favorite one, Weili is definitely in the conversation.

@chad5577 2 жыл бұрын

Uplifting the sport of mma in China. I’m so proud of her.

@zhihaoxu528 Жыл бұрын

This short documentary was very inspirational.

@messenger1111 2 жыл бұрын

You are a true role model for women mixed martial arts. Your hard work and humility are a far better representation of this sport than Valentina's arrogance, respect

@shergilldeep6796 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome short struggle, ups n downs series of Zhang 👍🏻

@stephenstuckey 2 жыл бұрын

SAVAGE. I love it.

@applemilind4879 2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget the way she effortlessly shot and lifted Ngannou 🤣🤣🤣

@L3GHO5T 11 ай бұрын

There’s a lot of people out there that need a Cai in there life.

@gogu322 2 жыл бұрын

U are a spectacular fighter Weili. Always it s intense to see your fights. We hope to see u soon on the cage. 🙂🥳🥳

@carljenkins8481 2 жыл бұрын

i love weiliiiii ♥

@hermionefinnigan Жыл бұрын

Zhang Weili, how can you not like her? Her genuine passion for learning martial arts, her hard work ethic, her humility and her awareness of how she has gotten to her position as champion today - that her long journey in getting there isn’t a solo one - add to one’s understanding of why she’s a champion today. Moreover, her deep respect for Cai Xuejun and her other coaches is most admirable and honorable. Zhang Weili is definitely a positive role model to a lot of young girls and women out there. A definite inspiration to them.

@yeah6977 5 ай бұрын

@@hermionefinnigan AI comment

@hermionefinnigan 5 ай бұрын

@@yeah6977 No. I’m actually a very real human. A woman to be even more exact. It goes to show how advanced AI technology has gotten where differentiation between the real and unreal is practically nil.

@yeah6977 5 ай бұрын

@@hermionefinnigan If you wanna make it more believable, talk like an actual person and not like a professor

@hermionefinnigan 5 ай бұрын

@@yeah6977 You are a heckler.

@yeah6977 5 ай бұрын

@@hermionefinnigan !Deactivate

@navyman4 3 ай бұрын

She has become one of my TOP 2 fighters (behind Stamp Fairtex). I want to see MORE OF HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@AN-xs7dw 2 жыл бұрын

She must be fighting again soon. Cant wait!

@jackjoker6152 2 жыл бұрын

Love weili ❤

@chatter4427 2 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to see her fight again

@clearlyalunhead1109 2 жыл бұрын

Weili is a legend

@edwardthames9003 Жыл бұрын

Her nick name should be little explosion. She is my favorite female MMA fighter.

@tankerock 2 жыл бұрын

My name is Zhang Weili. I'm from China. Remember me!

@leonardodias9771 2 жыл бұрын

My Favorite female Champion. The sweetest girl.

@bencee9543 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite Women's fighter!!!

@CreatedFast Жыл бұрын

When people have asked me who my favourite fighter is, then I've answered Zhang Weili several times. The video clips of her in the gym has inspired me alot. I just hope she isn't on steroids because she is too perfect at times

@bubblecheney8882 2 жыл бұрын

She never dances.That's why i like her fights no matter she is champion or not.

@jashandjash6990 Жыл бұрын

She reminds me of cain velasquez, and thats the highest praise i can give.

@minteherms6784 2 жыл бұрын

Man that's unbelievable!! I didn't now humans could do this like in a cartoon. Did you see the dollar signs in Dana his eyes, when he did put the belt on Zhang Weili 😂

@alcottdevalte7440 2 жыл бұрын

Really nice that this kid became the champ again. Would like her to try getting a second belt at 125 one day

@coachalexjara Жыл бұрын

What a story Want the champ To stay And to continue Inspiring ❤❤❤❤

@liqiuli7939 2 жыл бұрын

Great,, Respect

@tedmoses8069 Жыл бұрын

That gal has heart ❤.no scared of putting in the time swet .soreness...proud of you to peices weilli .love ya be safe .cheering for you always .

@lightsdarkness7714 2 жыл бұрын

megan olivi's hair reminds me of a darth vader helmet

@chatter4427 2 жыл бұрын

She has been a body guard holy hah

@crusaderofunderdogs8005 Жыл бұрын

90% of her dedication comes from not wanting to go back to that desk job

@SuperAn0nymus 2 жыл бұрын

such an inspiration..!

@brankomrsic8544 Жыл бұрын

...puno sreće i jednoj i drugoj curi. Mislim da su fajterice....i mislim da ste zvijezde Bostona....barem ovaj put.

@YWKIM-uj5rb 2 жыл бұрын

Zhang Weili is best

@captainswing7559 2 жыл бұрын

Very inspirational story. Thank you zhang ❤

@syed9986 2 жыл бұрын

Do more Shavakat Rakhmanov

@pjaysao601 Жыл бұрын

Your such an inspiration to women. Fitted to be a champion

@iluvmyboba 2 жыл бұрын

Zhang doesn't come to play. When she fights her fists are flying. My kind of fighter.

@lxmin Жыл бұрын

An inspiration

@AJ-gh4wx 2 жыл бұрын

Weili has the skills and mindset of champions and deserves to be the best female fighter in the world

@cj-nyc2057 2 жыл бұрын

Magnum Weill 💪💪

@xavierdaniels9023 2 жыл бұрын

So adorable but yet so violent

@lubendragnev5503 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite female fighter. Ferocious!

@topcan5 2 жыл бұрын

true inspiration.

@sammydavis8722 2 жыл бұрын

I love backstories!

@Mark-te8ky 2 жыл бұрын

weili 💛

@mmabnews 2 жыл бұрын

That’s a real trainer. Fernand Lopez (Gane and Ngannou trainer) has to learn from him

@aldibeta 2 жыл бұрын

Weili Zhang as kindergarten teacher, she tells the kid to uppercut and knee the other kid in a clinch. Then tripped them and ground and pound them.

@cascisa22 Жыл бұрын

Awesome shot Doc !

@thepoolboi Жыл бұрын

Badass Weili !

@jmh1987 Жыл бұрын

웨일리 짧은머리 넘 멋쪄요~~

@Chinny5 2 жыл бұрын

love her

@ziryabjamal 2 жыл бұрын

From zero to hero😢

@nim3593 2 жыл бұрын

It's kind of poetic that it's the opposite for Rose now. She went from hero to zero.

@kiabtoomlauj6249 2 жыл бұрын

Was that tall White dude, at 6:47, Lachlan Giles the great Australian BJJ/ADCC? But Giles is only 5'6"... not 6'5" like that...

@Nswix 2 жыл бұрын

Nah, Lachlan's got that goofy hairline.

@beandon7227 2 жыл бұрын

Zhang kills Rose in the rematch. Should of won the second fight

@tootspogsforever5590 Жыл бұрын

It's called racism!😀

@roro-v3z 4 ай бұрын

@@tootspogsforever5590 yes, definitly she was robbed

@eruston Жыл бұрын

Amazing fighter.

@kingquan2608 26 күн бұрын

Does anybody know the music from like around 2 minutes or almost 3 minutes

@zheng1437 Жыл бұрын

Cai is like the Zhuge Liang of Weili.

@kumbackquatsta 2 жыл бұрын

weili speaks better english than rose

@johelimarcorona2307 Жыл бұрын

Admiration! period

@damianone4404 2 жыл бұрын

Love her

@idofdm7625 15 күн бұрын

I'm not exactly a MMA fan,but I love human story, When Zhang became champion first time, I watched those fight, then when she lost to Rose, I said may be she's a flash in the pan, well, now she redeemed herself, takeaway is these are reflections of drama of human life, if she would've given up after 2 lost to Rose, she would've faded in to history and forgotten! Now her saying " remember me " is valid! There are many dismissive people, still, then again that's what Tom Brady endure his whole career, it's a human thing!