UFC: Zhang Weili says she is blocking out the trolls and haters – ‘I think this is growth’
- Chinese star seemingly unfazed by champion Carla Esparza’s comments, and reveals new mindset to go along with physical adjustments
- Zhang’s new approach seems to be paying dividends, signing lucrative Under Armour and Pepsi deals following her UFC 275 win
China’s Zhang Weili does not seem bothered by the recent comments of Carla Esparza – something in fitting with the recent changes she has made to her mindset, to go along with her physical adjustments in the UFC Octagon.
Zhang, the former strawweight champion, returned to action at UFC 275 in Singapore this month, scoring a highlight-reel knockout over retiring MMA legend Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
The victory guaranteed the 32-year-old a crack at reigning strawweight queen Carla Esparza – company president Dana White confirmed that plan before and after the fight – but the American champion has recently expressed some reluctance to accept the match-up.
Neither remark seems to be troubling the Chinese star, who issued a quick response on her social media channels.
“Actually, we’ve been fighting for two rounds,” Zhang wrote on Instagram. “Go ahead. Continue. Let’s go champ.”
Zhang seems to be making great efforts to block out the negativity of late. The former champion has been doing much of her training in relative seclusion at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA in Phuket, Thailand, and claims to no longer be bothered by her naysayers.
