China’s Weili Zhang shocked the mixed martial arts world and made history in under one minute at UFC on ESPN+15 on Saturday, August 31. Weili entered the night as an underdog to UFC women’s strawweight champion Jessica Andrade, but it took just 42 seconds for Weili to bring home gold in her home country.
With the shocking 42-second TKO victory, Weili became the first Chinese athlete to win UFC gold.
Weili came out of the gate firing on all cylinders and rocked Andrade with a quick right hook. With the champion wobbled, Weili unloaded a devastating barrage of knees and elbows until Andrade collapsed to the mat and referee Leon Roberts jumped in to call an end to the fight.
You can check out the stunning finish below.
Lo hace!!! @MmaWeili
noquea a Andrade y es la nueva campeona! #UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/tHfVZC66Uy
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) August 31, 2019
noquea a Andrade y es la nueva campeona! Weili Zhang becomes the first ever Chinese UFC champion and just look what it means to her
In 2019 the UFC has seen its first African and Asian champions crowned. A global sport
#UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/Dj341LHdpB
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) August 31, 2019
With the win, Weili is now on a 20-fight winning streak.
If you missed out on the action bright and early on Saturday night, we have you covered.
A full look at the results from UFC on ESPN+15 can be seen below.
UFC on ESPN+15 Results
- Weili Zhang def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:42 – to win strawweight title
- Li Jingliang def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:51
- Kai Kara-France def. Mark De La Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Song Kenan def. Derrick Krantz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mizuki Inoue def. Wu Yanan via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Jun Yong Park via submission (anaconda Choke) – Round 2, 4:39
- Su Mudaerji def Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-26)
- Da Un Jung def. Khadis Ibragimov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 2:00
- Damir Ismagulov def. Thiago Moises via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Heili Alateng def. Danaa Batgerel via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Karol Rosa def. Lara Procopio via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)