Zen-like Zhang keeping it calm for title showdown

Zhang Weili says she is in peak physical and mental condition for the defense of her UFC women's strawweight title in Boston, the United States, next month.

The 33-year-old will take on Brazil's Amanda Lemos in the first defense of her second reign as champion at UFC 292.

"I have prepared as comprehensively as possible, covering every element that my opponent could think of," the Chinese fighter, 33, told Xinhua.

"I'm in a good place right now, very relaxed. I'm just focusing on what's in front of me, every day, every session. I believe that when I'm in good physical shape, I'm also in a good mental state, and vice versa."

After reclaiming the women's strawweight belt from two-time titleholder Carla Esparza last November, Zhang took a break from the gym to focus on media appearances.

She headed to Thailand in March to resume high-intensity training and prepare for her next fight, which at that stage had not yet been confirmed.

"My life in Thailand was very simple — just eat, sleep, and train every day. It's good to focus on that routine," she said of that stint.

Shortly after, UFC announced Zhang's title defense against Lemos as the co-main event of UFC 292.

Lemos, 36, owns a 13-2-1 record, with eight knockouts and three submissions. Known for her powerful striking, Lemos went on a five-fight winning streak between 2019 and 2021.

Following a loss to former champion Jessica Andrade, Lemos bounced back with two consecutive wins to rise to No 4 in the strawweight rankings and earn a shot at the title.

Zhang holds Lemos in high regard and is readying herself for a tough encounter.

"Lemos is a very complete fighter. I watched her fight a few years ago before she entered the top 15, and I knew she would make it," she said.

"I had a vague feeling that we would one day fight each other, and now here we are. It should be an intense battle," Zhang added.

"All top-ranked athletes are formidable. Everyone poses a big challenge. You need to be 100 percent serious in training and 100 percent focused in the Octagon."

Zhang said she got back to basics during her Thailand training stint, working on her weaknesses and improving her wrestling and striking.

She is currently in Las Vegas, training at the UFC Performance Institute where she is primarily focusing on tactics for the Aug 19 bout.

Zhang revealed that upon learning she would face Lemos, she felt "very calm".

"I actually don't feel any pressure at the moment," she added.

"The mentality of a champion is completely different from that of a challenger, and I know what it's like to be a challenger because I have been one before. But now I consider myself a challenger who challenges myself. When you truly invest all your energy into yourself, you feel happier, lighter, and more productive," Zhang explained.

Another Chinese strawweight fighter, Yan Xiaonan, had been in the running to face Zhang after her first-round TKO against Andrade at UFC 288 propelled her to third spot in the rankings.

Following her victory, Yan had publicly expressed her desire to challenge her compatriot, and although the anticipated "Chinese derby" didn't materialize, Zhang said "it is possible we could see this fight in the future".

Xinhua