Zhang Weili is one of the most successful champions in UFC women’s MMA, but her journey didn’t start inside the Octagon. Long before she dominated the strawweight division, Zhang was a young girl from Hebei, China, building discipline, toughness, and confidence through martial arts.
If you’re wondering when Zhang Weili started fighting and how her early life shaped her into the champion she is today, here’s a simple, clear breakdown of her entire fighting timeline.
When Did Zhang Weili Start Fighting?
Zhang Weili began training in martial arts at around 7 years old, focusing on Sanda (Chinese kickboxing). She didn’t start MMA immediately — like many Chinese athletes, she built her foundation through traditional combat sports.
Her professional MMA career officially began in 2013, when she was 23 years old.
So her fighting journey can be divided into three stages:
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Martial arts training: Age 7–18
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Strength & fitness career + injuries: Age 19–22
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Professional MMA debut: Age 23 (2013)
From there, her rise was fast, disciplined, and unstoppable.
Her Early Life in Martial Arts (Age 7–18)
Zhang Weili was born in Handan, Hebei, and grew up in a very ordinary Chinese family. But from a young age, she showed natural athletic talent.
Started Sanda at 7
She was introduced to Sanda, a Chinese martial art that includes:
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Punches
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Kicks
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Throws
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Sweeps
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Takedowns
This early training gave her the foundation that eventually became her signature striking style in the UFC.
Why Sanda Helped Her Become Elite
Sanda fighters are known for:
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Strong balance
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Fast kicks
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Powerful takedowns
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Explosive movement
All the strengths you see in Zhang Weili today — especially her footwork and quick trips — come directly from her Sanda roots.
Her Teenage Years: Becoming a Combat Athlete
Throughout her school years, Zhang continued training seriously. Her coaches noticed her:
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Discipline
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Strength
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Work ethic
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Unusual speed for her size
She competed in Sanda events as a teenager but didn’t turn professional yet. Instead, she explored other sports and briefly attended school for fitness training.
Her Early Adult Life: Gym Work, Strength Training & Recovery
Before becoming an MMA fighter, Zhang worked several physically demanding jobs:
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Receptionist at a gym
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Fitness instructor
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Front desk worker
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Yoga assistant
Her main goal at this stage was to stay close to the fitness world. She was building a strong physical base without realizing it would later benefit her MMA career.
However, during this period, she also suffered a few back injuries while working as a gym trainer. That slowed her athletic life temporarily, but eventually pushed her to pursue something more serious.
When She Started MMA Training (Age 21–22)
Around 2011, Zhang Weili discovered MMA while working at a Beijing gym. She became fascinated by the sport’s mix of:
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Grappling
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Striking
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Submissions
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Conditioning
After training casually at first, she decided to dedicate herself fully. She joined a professional MMA gym and began competing in amateur bouts.
This was the turning point — she realized she had the potential to become a world-class athlete.
Professional MMA Debut in 2013
Zhang Weili officially made her professional MMA debut in November 2013 in Kunlun Fight, a Chinese combat sports promotion.
Unfortunately, her first pro fight was a loss.
But instead of getting discouraged, the loss motivated her. She committed to tightening her ground game, improving her cardio, and sharpening her striking.
From that point on, she went on an incredible run.
Her Fast Rise in MMA (2013–2018)
After her debut loss, Zhang went on a 21-fight win streak, dominating Asian promotions like:
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Kunlun Fight
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Top FC
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Chinese MMA leagues
She became known for:
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High pace
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Powerful kicks
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Strong wrestling
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Quick finishes
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Non-stop pressure
This run earned her attention from UFC scouts.
Signing With the UFC (2018)
Zhang Weili joined the UFC in 2018 and immediately proved she was special. She faced elite competition right away and quickly climbed the rankings.
Her early UFC run included wins over:
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Danielle Taylor
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Jessica Aguilar
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Tecia Torres
Those victories pushed her into title contention.
Becoming UFC Champion (2019)
In August 2019, Zhang Weili defeated Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen, China, to become:
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The first Chinese UFC champion in history
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The first champion from East Asia in UFC history
She won by first-round TKO — a dominant, historic moment.
Her championship reign included iconic fights such as:
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Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (2020) — often called the greatest women’s fight ever
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Wins over Rose Namajunas and Lemos
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Multiple title defenses
Zhang Weili’s Fighting Journey in One Timeline
Here’s a quick snapshot:
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1996 (Age 7): Starts Sanda
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Teenage years: Competes in martial arts, becomes a strong all-around athlete
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2011 (Age 21–22): Starts MMA training
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2013 (Age 23): Makes professional MMA debut
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2018: Signs with UFC
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2019: Becomes UFC strawweight champion
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2020–2025: Remains one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in women’s MMA
Final Thoughts
So, when did Zhang Weili start fighting?
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She began martial arts at 7 years old.
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She started MMA training around age 21–22.
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She made her professional MMA debut in 2013.
Zhang Weili’s journey is a perfect example of long-term discipline, resilience, and growth. From a young girl learning Sanda in Hebei to a global UFC superstar, her career reflects years of hard work — not overnight success.
