The upcoming UFC 300 event is set to make history with the first-ever title bout featuring two Chinese athletes. UFC CEO Dana White announced on social media that Zhang Weili will defend her UFC women"s strawweight title against compatriot Yan Xiaonan on April 13 in Las Vegas. This marks the first title fight revealed for UFC 300, with the possibility of additional championship matchups being announced later.
The Zhang vs. Yan matchup is the fifth bout confirmed for UFC 300, featuring other exciting matchups like Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan, JiYí Procházka vs. Aleksandar Rakic, Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar, and Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage. The event already boasts four current or former UFC champions on the card.
🚨BREAKING #UFC300 NEWS🚨
🔥Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili will take on Yan Xiaonan at #UFC300 on April 13th.
[per Dana White]#UFC300 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/bq9XjqOPzF
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) January 11, 2024
Zhang, recognized by ESPN as the top pound-for-pound women"s MMA fighter globally, holds a record of 24-3. As the UFC"s first-ever Chinese-born champion, she secured her second UFC women"s strawweight title by defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281 in November 2022. The 34-year-old Zhang has successfully defended her title twice, most recently with a dominant unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in August 2023.
Yan Xiaonan, with a record of 17-3, 1 NC, is coming off a first-round knockout victory against former champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 288 in May 2023. Hailing from Shenyang, Liaoning, China, Yan has emerged victorious in eight of her last ten fights. Notably, she was the first Chinese female fighter signed by the UFC in 2017, paving the way for Chinese representation in the sport.
