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Dana White wants new champ Weili Zhang to fight Stateside; Zhang says fix visas first

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Newly minted UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang could grow into a huge star for the promotion in China. Right now, though, UFC president Dana White wants her to fight in the States.

But first, the promotion needs to get visa attorneys on her side.

“If Dana wants me to fight in the U.S., it’ll be fine,” Zhang (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) told reporters after her 42-second knockout of Jessica Andrade (20-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 15. “But please get all my corners’ visas down. Last time, several corners couldn’t come (with me) because of visa issues.”

Zhang’s previous appearance came on the UFC’s home turf in Las Vegas, where she outpointed Tecia Torres to earn her third straight UFC win. The promotion typically covers the cost of one cornerman and assists in the visa process for foreign fighters.

After a triumphant win in her native country, Zhang unsurprisingly wants to keep her momentum rolling in China. And she wants the financial and promotional benefits that come with being champ.

“I’d like to get on a pay-per-view event,” she said. “But I also want to have a pay-per-view event in China. This is my wish.”

The UFC typically has shied away from promoting pay-per-view events in countries where time differences decrease the possibility of drawing big numbers in North America. But the promotion also has also moved big fights overseas, and now, it may be more willing to do so all pay-per-views now behind the ESPN+ paywall.

On Sept. 7, the UFC will promote UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov facing interim champ Dustin Poirier.

White is amenable to promoting Zhang in China. But his playbook includes building her up to the UFC’s most reliable fanbase.

“What I want to do now is bring Weili to the United States,” he said. “You have her fight in the states, and then you come back (to China). We will be back here soon. Weili will not probably be back here soon – but soon enough.”

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