LAS VEGAS – Zhang Weili didn’t have her usual training camp in the lead up to UFC 248.

The promotion’s first Chinese champion, Weili (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) said her regimen didn’t change, specifics were much different. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Weili was forced to abruptly move her training camp, traveling to Abu Dhabi and Thailand before finally arriving in the United States.

Although she ultimately made the decision to come to the United States, Weili said her preparation wasn’t hindered during her time in China.

“It didn’t affect me at all,” Weili told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s open workouts. “In our initial stage of the outbreak, that was the Chinese New Year. I didn’t get back to my home of Beijing for my camp to prepare for this fight.

“The place I live in is really close to the gym. Everything I did those days was to travel back and forth in between the gym and my home to train, to sleep, to prepare. I haven’t really been affected at all.”

The World Health Organization estimates 2,873 have died in China due to COVID-19 since the outbreak started, as of March 1. However, Chinese government officials say the rate of infection is declining. Weili praised her home country’s efforts to stop the outbreak.

“The outbreak is coming down a lot,” Weili said. “It’s getting better and better in China. China has done a great job to control this. The newly infected number is at zero a few days already. China is getting safer and safer. Soon, I believe China will become the most safe country in the world.”

While the progress is encouraging, the coronavirus was devastating for those affected. Proudly and prominently representing China on the big stage, Weili said her UFC 248 title fight against former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk will serve as inspiration to her country.

“Definitely this fight means a lot to me,” Weili said. “I would like to take this victory. I want to to take this victory as (inspiration) to my country and my nation back home. To all of those people combating the coronavirus, hopefully we can get (past it) soon. By our hard work, we will make things happen. We will make things perfect. China will get better – soon.”

In the lead-up to Saturday’s fight Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) posted a meme poking fun of Weili and the coronavirus. The image showed a mask over her face in an edited promotional poster. Jedrzejczyk removed the post issued a statement shortly after.

In line with “China’s culture,” Weili said she isn’t using Jedrzejczyk’s comments as motivation. On Saturday night, Weili said she’ll let her actions speak – not words.

“No, not at all, because in China’s culture, we don’t like to do any trash talk,” Weili said. “All I want to do is talk to her inside the Octagon. That’s it – with my fists… She is the past and now is me. I’m going to take over. I’m going to begin my own era in the strawweight division.”

UFC 248 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Check out Zhang Weili’s full UFC 248 pre-fight media scrum in the video above.