SUMMARY
- UFC CEO Dana White announced the first title fight of UFC 300
- Zhang Weili will defend her UFC Strawweight title against Yan Xiaonan.
UFC CEO Dana White announced another fight set to take place on the milestone PPV UFC 300. White announced a first-time-ever Chinese vs Chinese title fight in the UFC. Women’s Strawweight champion Zhang Weili will defend her title against Yan Xiaonan. Fans, however, were left unimpressed with the announcement.
In an announcement on Instagram, White said, “August 31, 2019, history was made when Zhang Weili defeated Jessica Andrade to become the first Chinese champion in UFC history. Guess what, five years later, we will see history being made again as Zhang Weili faces Yan Xianon for the strawweight title at UFC 300. This is the first time two Chinese contenders have faced off for a world title.”
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After three fights in the UFC, Weili (24-3) earned her first title shot against Jessica Andrade at UFC Fight Night 157. She won via TKO in the first round. Weili successfully defended her title months later against Joanna Jędrzejczyk. However, she lost to Rose Namajunas in her second defense attempt in April 2021. The Chinese fighter won the title again after defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281 and successfully defended it against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292.
On the other hand, Xiaonan (17-3) is also a strong contender. She has been in the UFC for over six years and fought 10 times. The Shenyang-born fighter defeated Mackenzie Dern and Jessica Andrade in her last two fights.
The fans did not seem to like the first title fight announcement by White. One fan wrote, “Dana should be arrested.”
Dana should be arrested
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) January 11, 2024
Another fan wrote, “Can’t believe we all waited for this bull***t to be announced.”
can’t believe we all waited for this bullshit to be announced
— Luke Bowater (@bow_thoughts) January 11, 2024
Another fan expressed their disappointment and wrote, “This is what we waited for??”
White, however, left the fans on a positive note. He revealed that there will be more announcements coming soon.
Dana White reveals there will be more title fight announcements for UFC 300 soon
White concluded his announcement by stating there will be more title fights at UFC 300. He claimed, “So, there’s one of the title fights for UFC 300. I will have at least two or more for you tomorrow.”
#UFC300 is starting to come together 👀🔥
What’s your thoughts on the card so far? pic.twitter.com/G6BvdfGbek
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 11, 2024
As of now, five fights have been announced for UFC 300. A UFC Lightweight title eliminator will be fought between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. In a Light Heavyweight bout, Jiří Procházka will take on Aleksandar Rakić. In a Featherweight bout, Calvin Kattar will face Aljamain Sterling, who will be making his debut in the division, meanwhile, in a Middleweight bout, the undefeated fighter Bo Nickal will face Cody Brundage.
Moreover, the latest fight to be added to the list is the women’s Strawweight title fight between Weili and Xiaonan. UFC 300 is scheduled for April 13, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.