UFC 275: Zhang Weili Octagon Interview

Former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili spoke to Daniel Cormier following her victory over fellow former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 275 on Saturday via second-round knockout.

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[enjayflave]

Translator left a lot out of weili’s statement on the last round of questions. She said, “ I’m very grateful for Joanna to fight me again, she is a true warrior and I’m very grateful to have fought her. I’ve always admired her, respect her, and looked up to her coming up. This is a tradition, and someone will eventually beat me the next generation. We fight to show the world what women can. A lot of people think we can’t be so great, we show the world women can do it too. Also, I wish for world peace and for things to return to normalcy around the world. Thank you everyone.”

[uptowncali]

Sorry I know the translator did his best, but Weili’s end speech had way more to what he translated. It goes something like this.

“I really want to thank Joanna for accepting this fight with me. I have mad respect for Joanna, she’s a warrior, a grinder, a champion, I’ve watched her all the time when she was in my division and she’s one of the best. She didn’t lose today, she passed on her legacy to me to continue with the spirit of MMA, one day someone better than me comes along and will pass on my legacy to continue our MMA spirit, it’s all about the spirits. We are women, we are here in the octagon to show the world what women are capable of. we are strong, and who said women can’t do this? We will continue to prove. Lastly, I hope the world can be at peace again, world peace, and life’s can be back to normal and everyone can live well and happy.”

[ScenicFights]

Weili looked extremely strong throughout the fight. Fantastic KO. She’s going to win the belt again.

[JG-cepu]

Weili looked absolutely unstoppable. Can’t believe that joke of Esparza and Rose’s fight belongs to the same weight class as this awesome battle.

[vgold]

I am sooo happy for Weili! I feel she won her Rose rematch personally, or at least controlled and aggressed more of the fight. An all time highlight reel knockout like this is exactly the spark she needed for the MMA community, incase they forgot this woman was 21-1 a couple fights ago..

[ChrisWu-hzef]

Although this translator was doing his best, but Weili's words in Chinese are so much more powerful and sentimental, she said she leaves all nonsense behind and will stomp her rivals in all ways, she said I'm back, she fights with herself in a calm and relaxed way, she thanked Joanna for the fight and she and Joanna were both here to show women's power and strength and women can do anything.

[AlwaysCuriousChannel]

So proud of Weili! I really admired the respect she showed toward Joanna before and after the fight. And her message to women that we can do anything. And her wish for world peace with all that’s going on. Despite her success, she’s not self centered. She’s so incredibly humble, hardworking, motivated and positive. Who could dislike her? A true role model in this sport and in general. We need more like her! Also, what a knockout! Incredible way to end a fight. Hope she’ll be champ again soon.

[astheskylarksings]

Still such a shame what the crowd did to Weili in Florida. What a class act

[hmngvaj]

Didn’t even hear any BOO’s. That means these two were doing everything wrong according to Rose and Pat.

[MrWolfchamp-xicu]

Zhang got some significant momentum back with this one

Doesn't get any better than this. Knocking out the greatest Strawweight of all time. With a spinning back fist of all things.

[baraka]

Let's go Weili, the most exciting Strawweight Champion UFC has ever seen. So proud of her achievements.

[deppdeng]

She took the platform to call for world peace and women's empowerment (though the translator missed the second part).
People like her for a reason, such a champ.

[cyc]

2:30 "I am very thankful Joanna fought this fight with me. She is a very impressive athlete, she is a warrior. I have alot of respect for her. I have followed her career, this win is only a pass of the baton. In the future there will too be another greater fighter before me. This is not a competition, this is a fighting exchange. We are showing girl power in this octagon. Who says we women cannot do what others can. We can! We are showing the spirit of MMA. My last words are, I hope the world can come back to peace and let people live their normal lives again."

[greg]

As Joanna fan I congratulate Zhang and wish her all best in her career. I watched some of her videos and she is very nice person. I will be cheering for her in all her next fights 😊

[AbcdEfg-dizc]

There is one sentence that the translator did not translate at the end for weili. After weili said the legacy passing to her from joanna, she also said '' we are here to show women power, who said we can't do it? ''

[jerryyao]

Huge win for Weili! Somehow this fight reminds me of Chandler knocking out Ferguson. Weili very wisely wrestled with Joanna in the first round to deal with Joanna's reach advantage. Weili really improved a lot, as she said, this is Weili 3.0!! And look at this interview, what a fighter, what class she's got! She fights herself to improve, she fights Joanna to pass on the torch, and she fights for world peace. And what's not translated: She said she fights to show us women's power! Congrats to Weili, and much respect to Joanna! It's been a journey, enjoy your retirement, be a mother, and embrace life!

[georgec]

Weili you are the best!!! Humble and powerful

[mambamolt]

Zhang is a legendary Icon in the sport of mix martial arts most definitely a future hall of fame. Congrats to Zhang a great win and proving a statement to everyone. Putting Joanna in the shadow realm and plus putting JJ into retirement like that is pure insanity.

[lsu]

The final statement of Zhang" Thank Joanna very much for having this fight with me, she is an excellent opponent, a warrior, she got all my respect . When she was in my place, I watched her everyday, I just feel it is a relay, I will pass it to someone stronger than me that appear some day. Actually, we are not fighting here, we are presenting the power of female in this 8-horn cage, who say women cannot? we can! We are here showing the spirit of MMA！ My last word, I hope the world peaceful, and all the people just back to the normal life like pre-pandemic. Thank you all."

[Cletus_the_Elder]

Tough job for the translator. Both DC and Zhang were giving paragraphs at a time.