Zhang Weili isn’t just a UFC champion — she’s a national icon in China. Ever since she made history by becoming the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC title, her popularity has exploded across the country. But how popular is she really? And what makes her stand out in a country with over a billion people?
Here’s a simple, clear breakdown of Zhang Weili’s popularity in China as of 2025.
Yes — Zhang Weili Is Extremely Popular in China
Zhang Weili is widely considered one of the biggest sports stars in China, especially among young athletes and fans of combat sports. She has mainstream recognition, massive respect, and a strong fanbase that crosses gender, age, and region.
Her popularity comes from a mix of:
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Making history for China
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Her respectful personality
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Being a symbol of discipline and hard work
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Representing the country on a global stage
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Having a warrior-like, never-quit fighting style
She isn’t just known in MMA circles — she’s a household name.
Why Zhang Weili Is So Popular in China
There are several reasons why Zhang holds such a powerful place in Chinese sports culture.
1. She Became China’s First UFC Champion
In 2019, Zhang Weili knocked out Jessica Andrade in under a minute to win the UFC Strawweight Championship. That moment made her:
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The first Chinese UFC champion in history
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The first East Asian UFC champion
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A symbol of China’s rise in global sports
Millions watched that victory, and it instantly turned her into a national hero.
2. She Represents Strength, Discipline, and Humility
Chinese fans admire not just her fighting skills, but also her personality.
Zhang is known for being:
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Calm
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Respectful
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Humble
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Hardworking
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Emotionally disciplined
She rarely trash-talks, focuses on improvement, and shows deep respect for opponents — qualities that resonate strongly with Chinese cultural values.
3. She’s a Role Model for Young Women
Zhang Weili has become a symbol of female strength in China. Many young women look up to her because:
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She breaks gender stereotypes
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She shows women can compete at the highest level
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She promotes fitness, self-confidence, and courage
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She encourages girls to try martial arts
Her influence on women’s sports participation in China is massive.
4. Chinese Media Promotes Her Heavily
Zhang appears regularly in:
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National sports shows
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CCTV interviews
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Online streaming platforms
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Fitness programs
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Major social media campaigns
Whenever she has a fight, state media and mainstream media highlight her training, her achievements, and her impact on Chinese sports.
5. She Has Strong Support on Chinese Social Media
Across platforms like:
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Weibo
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Douyin (Chinese TikTok)
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Xiaohongshu
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Bilibili
Zhang Weili has millions of followers and fans who share her training clips, motivational quotes, and highlights.
Chinese fans especially love her:
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Stoic attitude
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Discipline
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Emotional interviews after big fights
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Technical training videos
Her workouts often go viral.
Her Popularity Skyrocketed After the Joanna Jedrzejczyk Fight
The 2020 war between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk is considered one of the greatest fights in women’s MMA history.
Even though the fight was brutal, Zhang’s performance won:
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Global respect
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Mainstream Chinese attention
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Honor from sports fans who never watched MMA before
Images of her swollen face and emotional reaction after winning circulated across Chinese social media, making her even more relatable and admired.
Zhang Weili and China’s Growing MMA Culture
Before Zhang, MMA was not a mainstream sport in China. Her success opened doors for:
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New MMA gyms
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Young fighters joining the sport
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UFC hosting more events in Asia
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Chinese fighters gaining more media exposure
Zhang Weili basically became the face of MMA in China.
Is She More Popular in China Than in the U.S.?
Yes — significantly.
While she is respected worldwide, her popularity in China is on another level. In the U.S., she is seen as an elite champion. In China, she is seen as:
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A symbol of national pride
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An inspiration to millions
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A modern sports icon
Her fights draw huge viewership numbers in China, often outperforming other UFC fighters.
Do Chinese People See Her as a Celebrity?
Absolutely — but not the flashy, entertainment type.
Chinese people see Zhang Weili as:
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A disciplined athlete
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A symbol of hard work and perseverance
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A cultural representative in global sports
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A source of pride
She gets invited to top-level events, fitness campaigns, and even national sports celebrations.
What Makes Her Popularity Unique?
Unlike other celebrities, Zhang’s fame is built on:
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Achievement
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Hard work
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Winning
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Real discipline
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National respect, not tabloid attention
She doesn’t rely on gossip, drama, or entertainment — her popularity comes from performance and values.
Final Thoughts
So, is Zhang Weili popular in China?
Yes — she is not just popular, she’s one of the country’s most respected and admired athletes.
Her historic championship win, humble personality, strong work ethic, and global success have made her a major sports icon across China. Whether she’s fighting in the U.S. or training in Beijing, millions of fans support her with pride.
