The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to mainland China will feature a title bout at the top of the card.
According to ESPN, Jessica Andrade will defend her strawweight crown against Weili Zhang at the UFC’s upcoming event in Shenzhen, China on Aug. 31. While contracts for the matchup have not been signed, the contest is close to being official. The card, which will likely be UFC Fight Night 157, is expected to air on ESPN+. It is the promotion’s third visit to mainland China.
Andrade claimed the strawweight belt with a second-round slam knockout of Rose Namajunas at UFC 237. “Bate Estaca” has won seven of her last eight Octagon appearances, with her only setback during that period coming in five-round decision defeat to then champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Zhang is currently on a 19-fight winning streak that includes three triumphs in the UFC. The 29-year-old China native is coming off her most significant victory to date, a decision over Tecia Torres at UFC 235.