Since capturing the UFC strawweight championship for a second time in 2023, Zhang Weili has solidified herself as one of the most dominant forces in mixed martial arts. Her combination of explosive striking, relentless pressure, and improving grappling has made her a nightmare matchup for the entire division. But with every title reign, the question looms: who is next? Fans around the world are already speculating about the matchups that will define Zhang's legacy. The strawweight division is deep with talent, and several contenders present compelling styles and narratives. This article explores the future fights that fans are most eager to see, from long-anticipated rematches to fresh challengers and potential superfights.

The Current State of Zhang Weili’s Reign

Zhang Weili’s second title run has been far from easy. She reclaimed the belt from Carla Esparza in a dominant performance, then defended it twice against dangerous opponents—first against Amanda Lemos in a one-sided striking clinic, and then against Yan Xiaonan in a grueling five-round war. These victories proved that Zhang’s evolution as a fighter is real. She no longer relies solely on her knockout power; her fight IQ, takedown defense, and cardio have all reached elite levels. The champion is now 5-1 in title fights, with her only loss coming to Rose Namajunas in 2021. That loss remains a blemish on an otherwise staggering record, and it fuels one of the most anticipated potential rematches in the sport.

A Champion Who Keeps Improving

Zhang trains out of the renowned Fight Ready gym in Arizona, working with head coach Jason House and wrestling coach Atef Itani. Her team has focused on tightening her defensive wrestling and developing a more patient approach on the feet. The result is a fighter who can now win rounds without taking damage. In her last outing against Yan Xiaonan, Zhang showed improved footwork and head movement, slipping punches and countering with precision. This growth suggests the champion is still peaking at 34 years old—a scary thought for the rest of the division.

What Makes a Zhang Weili Fight So Exciting?

Zhang's style is built for action. She marches forward behind heavy punches, kicks to the body and legs, and an ever-present threat of takedowns. She absorbed significant damage against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2020 but never backed down. That fight, widely considered one of the greatest in women's MMA history, cemented Zhang as a fan favorite. Fans want to see opponents who can challenge Zhang in areas where she has been vulnerable: her cardio in championship rounds (though that has improved), her tendency to drop her left hand when throwing long hooks, and opponents with strong wrestling that can test her takedown defense. The next wave of challengers will have to exploit these weaknesses to dethrone the champion.

The Most Intriguing Potential Matchups

With the top of the strawweight division constantly shifting, several fighters have viable cases for a title shot. Some are familiar faces, while others are rising through the ranks. Here are the matchups that fans are most excited to see, ranked by both narrative appeal and competitive potential.

Rose Namajunas: The Rematch That Haunts the Champion

Rose Namajunas has been a ghost in Zhang's career ever since their 2021 matchup. In that fight, Namajunas used her excellent footwork and feints to neutralise Zhang's aggression, landing a sharp left hand that dropped the champion in the first round. Zhang recovered quickly but was outpointed for the remainder of the fight, losing a split decision. Since then, Namajunas has struggled with consistency—losing to Carla Esparza and moving up briefly to flyweight—but her skills remain elite. A rematch now makes more sense than ever. Zhang has evolved significantly; she is more patient, smarter defensively, and more confident in her stand-up. Namajunas, meanwhile, has returned to strawweight and recently defeated Amanda Ribas, reasserting herself as a top contender. Fans want to see if Zhang can solve the riddle of Namajunas’s movement and precision striking. This fight would also settle the score and potentially close the one major hole in Zhang’s resume. For more on Namajunas’s recent form, check this UFC.com profile on her return to the division.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk: A Sequel to the Greatest Fight Ever

The first fight between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in 2020 is widely considered the greatest women’s MMA fight of all time. Both women absorbed incredible punishment—Joanna’s forehead swelled grotesquely due to a hematoma, and Zhang’s face was badly bruised. The back-and-forth war ended with Zhang winning a narrow split decision. Since then, Joanna has been mostly inactive, taking time off after a knockout loss to Carla Esparza. But rumors of her return have persisted. If Joanna comes back and wins a fight or two, a rematch would be massive. The narrative of unfinished business, combined with the potential for another war, has fans salivating. However, Joanna has not fought since June 2022, and time may have passed her by. Still, a rematch in 2025 or 2026 would be one of the biggest draws in the division. Read more about Joanna’s career and possible return at MMA Fighting’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk page.

Amanda Lemos: A Rematch With More Experience

Zhang Weili already defeated Amanda Lemos in August 2023, dominating her over five rounds. However, that fight was Zhang’s first title defense of her second reign, and Lemos came in as a massive underdog with only a short preparation. Since then, Lemos has bounced back with a win over former champion Carla Esparza and has looked improved. Lemos possesses brutal knockout power—she has finished multiple opponents with punches—and she also has dangerous submissions from her back. A rematch could be more competitive if Lemos has fixed the defensive gaps that Zhang exploited. Fans want to see if Lemos can make adjustments and turn their first fight into a more even contest. The raw power of Lemos against the technical prowess of Zhang is always a fan-friendly proposition.

Yan Xiaonan: The Challenge of a Fellow Chinese Star

Their fight at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia, was a thrilling back-and-forth battle that ended with Zhang securing a rear-naked choke in the third round. Yan Xiaonan showed incredible durability and heart, surviving heavy punishment and even landing some of her own combinations. A rematch would sell out any arena in China and would be a huge cultural event. Yan has since rebounded with a win over Tabatha Ricci and remains ranked near the top. She is a sharp striker with good grappling, and her toughness makes her a threat to anyone. Many fans think a longer fight—perhaps a five-round main event—could see Yan implement a better game plan. The national pride angle and the high-level technique make this a fight that could headline events in Asia for years to come.

Tatiana Suarez: The Wrestling Test

Tatiana Suarez has been plagued by injuries but remains one of the most frightening prospects in the sport. She is an undefeated world-class wrestler who has looked untouchable when healthy. Suarez’s wrestling is arguably the best in the division, and she has heavy ground-and-pound. Zhang has faced wrestlers before—Carla Esparza had some success taking her down in the first fight—but Suarez is on another level. If Suarez can put together a couple of wins, fans desperately want to see how Zhang handles a pure wrestling threat in her prime. Could Zhang defend takedowns for five rounds? Would her striking keep Suarez at bay? This matchup pits Zhang’s athleticism and evolving grappling against an Olympic-level wrestler. For more on Suarez’s return from injury, this ESPN article provides an update.

Marina Rodriguez: The Durable Veteran

Marina Rodriguez is a seasoned Muay Thai striker who has fought almost everyone in the top 10. She holds wins over Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson, and Yan Xiaonan. Her style—heavy leg kicks, excellent clinch work, and a granite chin—makes her a tough out for anyone. A fight between Zhang and Rodriguez would be a striking-heavy affair, and fans appreciate the technical exchanges. Rodriguez has been waiting for a title shot for years, and her resume is strong enough to justify one. This matchup also provides a stylistic contrast to Zhang’s other potential opponents, ensuring variety in the division.

Virna Jandiroba: The BJJ Specialist

Virna Jandiroba is a former Invicta champion and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has been quietly climbing the ranks. She has slick submissions from top position and good sweeps off her back. While her striking is not elite, she has the ability to drag fights into deep water on the ground. Zhang has shown vulnerability to being taken down and controlled—Esparza took her down repeatedly in their first fight. Jandiroba could present a similar threat, but with more dangerous submissions. Fans of high-level jiu-jitsu want to see Zhang tested on the mat.

The X-Factor: Superfights and Cross-Division Battles

Beyond the strawweight division, there is growing chatter about Zhang moving up to challenge for the flyweight title or even facing the legendary Amanda Nunes if she ever unretires. These superfights would transcend the sport’s usual weight-class boundaries.

Valentina Shevchenko: A Move to Flyweight

Valentina Shevchenko is the dominant flyweight champion, though she has had competitive fights with Alexa Grasso and others. A fight between Zhang and Shevchenko would be a battle of size, speed, and technique. Zhang is a naturally bigger strawweight who cuts significant weight, so moving up to 125 pounds could be manageable. Shevchenko has superior striking and a massive reach advantage, but Zhang’s pressure and power could pose problems. Fans dream of this fight because it pits two of the most well-rounded champions in the sport. The UFC has shown willingness to book such superfights—just look at Amanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg. This would be a legacy-defining moment for Zhang if she could win a second title.

Amanda Nunes: The Ultimate Legacy Fight

Amanda Nunes retired in 2023 as the greatest female fighter of all time, holding titles in two divisions. But retirement in MMA is often temporary. If Nunes decides to return, a fight with Zhang Weili would be a monster event. Nunes would be significantly larger and more powerful, but Zhang’s speed and accuracy could be an equalizer. Fans want to see if Zhang can avenge the losses of other strawweight champions to the legendary Nunes. It is the kind of fight that headlines a massive pay-per-view and determines the pound-for-pound queen.

How the Strawweight Division Shapes the Future

The strawweight division is in a healthy state with multiple contenders deserving of title shots. The UFC’s matchmaking will evolve based on wins and timing. Some fighters like Loopy Godinez and Tabatha Ricci are emerging as dark horses. The UFC also has a deep roster of international talent, including prospects from Asia and South America. Zhang’s next fight will likely be against the fighter who puts together the most impressive winning streak in the near future. As of late 2024, Rose Namajunas and Tatiana Suarez are the names that fans talk about most, but anything can happen in the ever-shifting landscape of MMA.

Fan Dreams vs. Reality: What Is Most Likely to Happen?

While fans love to dream about superfights, the reality of matchmaking involves timing, injuries, and promotional priorities. The most realistic next fight for Zhang Weili appears to be either Rose Namajunas or Tatiana Suarez. Both are ranked, both are available, and both have strong narratives. A rematch with Namajunas is the immediate money fight, while Suarez represents the untested challenger. If Zhang continues to win, a move to flyweight could happen in 2025 or 2026. The future of Zhang Weili is bright, and her willingness to face anyone makes her a champion that fans admire.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Zhang Weili

Zhang Weili has already achieved legendary status in the UFC. She has beaten multiple former champions, headlined historic events in China and Australia, and delivered one of the greatest fights of all time. But the fight game never stops. Fans want to see her tested by the best stylists the division has to offer. Whether it is the precision of Namajunas, the wrestling of Suarez, the power of Lemos, or the legend of Nunes, each potential matchup adds a new chapter to her story. One thing is certain: the UFC strawweight division is more exciting with Zhang Weili at the top, and the matchups that lie ahead could define the next era of women’s MMA.