Inspired by Ronda Rousey, Zhang from China aims at the history of MMA

SHENZHEN: Zhang Weili is the first Chinese fighter to compete for a UFC title and one person to thank for her remarkable rise in the sport: Ronda Rousey.

"I just want to be like her," said Zhang, 30. "She has shown us all that is possible in this sport, she has the strength and power we would all want."

Zhang will face Brazilian straw champion Jessica Andrade on Saturday as part of the UFC's Fight Night 157 event at the Universiade Sports Center in China's southern metropolis in Shenzhen.

Zhang studied martial arts as a child, but she did not really know where her life was going. Until the moment she saw Rousey become the UFC's first women's world champion, beating fellow countryman Liz Carmouche at the Barefoot Race in 2013.

"It was at that point that I decided that I wanted to be an MMA fighter," Zhang explained.

Zhang had resisted her parents' suggestion to become a hairdresser and had started playing MMA while jumping from a part-time job in the hospitality industry before seeing Rousey's fight. Since then, his whole life has been MMA.

For her part, Rousey appealed to Instagram last week to declare that she felt like a "proud mom" watching the growth of Zhang – and the female MMA.

"Women from all walks of life, from all over the world, take up the challenge and show the world what it means to fight as a girl.Weili Zhang is a great example of a victory over adversity – do not just fight through ranks, stand out and stand out, "commented Rousey.

Zhang said it was an honor to see these words written by "his idol and his model".

WOMEN HEADLINERS

The Zhang-Andrade Fight is the third time this year that female fighters have taken the lead in an event hosted by the world's largest mixed martial arts organization, with another one at the top. Horizon before the end of 2019.

Gender parity in sport has been a problem that has been around for decades and was brought to the boil at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup and a very public campaign led by US captain Megan Rapinoe while She was leading her country to victory. The US team is still struggling with an equal pay lawsuit against USA Soccer's governing body.

Although the pay rates in the MMA are not revealed, the bonuses of the type "Night Fight" are equal and the sport did not take long to put the combatants in the foreground at least in terms of promotion.

And the credit for that can be attributed to Rousey.

The former Olympian was a marketing dream for the UFC. He quickly made his appearance in talk shows around the world and went to the movies, with appearances in the franchise of billions and more of Fast and Furious.

Rousey – now a retired MMA and a professional wrestler – has an estimated value of US $ 12 million, according to Forbes annual rich sports list.

"She showed," Hey, I can win as much as boys, "said Kevin Chang, senior vice president of UFC, Asia-Pacific. "We are one of the few sports where parity exists, where women make the headlines, it is extremely important for us to make that happen and the fans of MMA want it."

"MMA treats each athlete as an individual.You come and perform, and then you are paid at the level of your performance."

"CHASE THEIR DREAMS"

Zhang quickly rose to number six in the UFC's straw-beating division thanks to a 3-0 record with the organization, having been signed in late 2017 by the Chinese national leagues.

Time is running out on Saturday. Andrade has six years of experience at the UFC and has just won a dazzling victory in the first round against the then champion, American Rose "Thug" Namajunas, at her last battle in May.

Zhang is aware of the task ahead, but she hopes to be able, like Rousey before her, to show "what is possible".

"I feel like I'm working at this time for years," Zhang said. "If watching me and what I do can motivate girls and give them the power to pursue their dreams, then that would be my greatest achievement, it would be super positive."