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Yan Xiaonan knows much of China will be behind Zhang Weili: ‘I just want to shut them up’
NEWARK, N.J. – The UFC could be on the verge of its first China vs. China title fight, something Yan Xiaonan hopes comes to fruition.
At UFC 288, Xiaonan (17-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defeated Jessica Andrade (24-11 MMA, 15-9 UFC) with a quick TKO. The stoppage came at 2:20 of Round 1, brevity Xiaonan hopes gives her an extra boost into title contention.
“I don’t know what the plan is on (Zhang) Weili’s side, if she has a fight booked,” Xiaonan told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “But if they gave me the chance, I can definitely fight for the belt because when I step in the octagon, my goal is just the championship. I hope Dana (White) can make this fight happen.”
The reigning women’s strawweight champion, Weili (23-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) doesn’t currently have a fight on the books. If that matchup is next, Xiaonan admitted she won’t win a popularity contest against China’s first UFC champion.
“Because Weili is the champion, I think she’s more favored by the Chinese fans,” Xiaonan said. “Now, there are a lot of Chinese fans who criticize me. They don’t like me. I can not share the love with Weili, so I just want to shut them up.”
Regardless of when or where it happens, UFC president White indicated he sees a Weili vs. Xiaonan matchup as a major win for the promotion in the Asian markets.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do with Yan (or) where she’s going to go, but I’m definitely going to look at China,” White said at a post-event news conference. “… I’m looking at that right now.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
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