Xiaonan Yan’s got a big fight coming up. She’s facing Weili Zhang, a fellow Chinese fighter who’s kinda the big deal back home. You know, more fans, more cheers. It’s all happening at UFC 300, April 13, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Big stage, right?
Now, Zhang? She’s not just any fighter. Made her UFC debut a tad later than Yan, in 2018, but boy, did she climb up fast. Snagged the strawweight championship like it was nothing. And her fights? Epic. She’s etched in MMA history, no doubt.
China’s had its heroes in the UFC. Think Jingliang Li and Yadong Song. But Zhang? She’s on another level. Yan even said it herself – she’s bracing for more haters than fans on her side. Tough crowd.
At the UFC 300 media day, Yan was all chill. “Yeah, more folks root for Weili, but hey, I’ve got my squad. My family, my team. That’s my rock.” She’s not sweating the popularity contest.
But here’s the kicker – Yan’s eyes are on the prize. Winning’s great and all, but that championship belt? That’s the dream. “China vs. China, grabbing that UFC title – both huge, but that title? It’s everything.”
Yan’s coming off a hot streak. Knocked out Jessica Andrade at UFC 288 this May. And Zhang? She’s not slowing down either. Three wins in a row and just dominated Amanda Lemos. Set a new record for striking differential in a women’s UFC match. Talk about firepower.