Home / Sports / Ariel Helwani’s ideas – Hanging Zhang Weili’s win into viewpoint

Ariel Helwani’s ideas – Hanging Zhang Weili’s win into viewpoint

This weekend is an especially busy one in MMA.

After all, the large tale of the week is the much-anticipated go back of Khabib Nurmagomedov towards the surging Dustin Poirier Saturday at UFC 242 (2 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

Laborious to imagine, however it in point of fact HAS been 10 months since we ultimate noticed Nurmagomedov in motion. For my cash, he’s the second-most well-known MMA fighter on this planet in the back of Conor McGregor. However so far as reputation is going, it is advisable to make an excessively robust case that he’s the preferred fighter within the game at this time, bearing in mind what number of fanatics gave the impression to have became on McGregor at the moment. Regardless of the way you slice it, Nurmagomedov is a mega megastar and bringing him, a religious Muslim, to Abu Dhabi used to be a in point of fact good trade transfer.

We are nonetheless 4 days away, however UFC 242 already feels particular, and by the point he walks to the cage, Nurmagomedov goes to return throughout like an icon to these in attendance. I am having a look ahead to that scene.

Along with UFC 242 this weekend, there may be Cage Warriors Unplugged 2, Invicta FC: Phoenix Collection 2, LFA and Bellator 226. The ultimate of the ones is the most important non-UFC card of the weekend, because it options Ryan Bader protecting his Bellator heavyweight identify for the primary time towards veteran Cheick Kongo, and the beginning of the promotion’s 16-man featherweight Grand Prix. In different phrases, I am hoping you haven’t any plans on Saturday.

However sooner than we get to all that, listed below are some ideas on all issues MMA:

“My identify is Zhang Weili. I’m from China. Take into account me.”

What a line. What a second.

It is unimaginable to overstate simply how massive this previous Saturday used to be for the UFC, the game, Zhang Weili and Chinese language MMA.

For smartly greater than a decade, the UFC desperately sought after a Chinese language megastar. Now not a champion, only a megastar. I consider after they signed Zhang Tiequan in 2010. He used to be the primary Chinese language fighter to compete within the UFC. I consider when he received his debut in simply 48 seconds and everybody idea, “Whoa. What if they simply discovered that Chinese language megastar?!” Sadly for all concerned, Zhang proceeded to lose his subsequent 3 fights within the UFC and hasn’t fought since 2012. Different Chinese language warring parties have discovered luck throughout the Octagon, however none appeared with regards to identify rivalry.

After which got here Zhang Weili. She entered the UFC ultimate 12 months using a 16-fight profitable streak. We knew she used to be just right, however even after 3 directly wins within the UFC, over former contenders Tecia Torres and Jessica Aguilar as well, no person believed she could be preventing for a belt this 12 months.

So possibly that is why her emergence feels extra like a jolt of lightning than a coronation. Who noticed this coming this 12 months? Who noticed her beating Jessica Andrade in 42 seconds in China?

A Chinese language fighter simply received the UFC identify in China. You know the way large this is? That is the what promoters fantasize about, whilst realizing deep down inside of the ones forms of moments are the longest of lengthy pictures.

So, the Zhang Weili technology has arrived. And through all accounts, China is paying consideration, which is clearly key. Her supervisor, Brian Butler, informed me she has been hashtagged greater than 300 million instances on Chinese language social media platforms since her win on Saturday. I am not somewhat positive how to make sure that, however it is transparent she’s already making a direct affect. China, with its wealthy martial arts historical past and residential to greater than 1.four billion folks, has all the time been the nice unknown in MMA, and now the UFC has a in point of fact just right champion who hails from there. Jackpot. It seems as though Zhang skipped the megastar level and simply dove proper into the champion level. Generally, you grow to be a celeb after which a champion. So now the UFC will have to paintings backward.

You spot, if Zhang loses in her first identify protection, this may increasingly all be for naught. Certain, she’s much more well-known and Aug. 31, 2019, will endlessly be a enormous date within the game’s historical past, however she wishes a identify reign to in point of fact make an affect. I see folks pronouncing she may also be the most important megastar in MMA historical past. Perhaps, however once more, she wishes to move on a minimum of a semi-long run as champion for that to return true.

The following couple of months will likely be key. How does the UFC marketplace her in between fights? The place does she combat subsequent? Who does she combat subsequent? There will likely be a ton at stake when making those selections, extra so than the standard selections hooked up to a brand new champion.

It is all proper there for the taking. A second and fighter the UFC has been on the lookout for for years. I, for one, am curious to look how this tale performs out.

The following steps

UFC president Dana White stated he would really like for Zhang to protect the identify in the USA subsequent. Most often, I would be in contrast. Why would you are taking her clear of China when there may be such a lot doable there? Reality is, there’s a reason why the UFC most effective is going there annually. It is dear and there may be numerous crimson tape hooked up to these journeys. So my slump is that they would need her first protection to be within the first quarter of 2020 in The us, and, if all is going smartly, she defends the belt round this time subsequent 12 months again in China. They principally wish to purchase a while sooner than the following commute, which, if she continues to be champion through then, may well be enormous.

And that is the reason why her first identify protection is so necessary.

As for who she is going to combat subsequent, I feel Zhang has 3 choices:

1. Rose Namajunas. I do know Namajunas hinted at retirement in Would possibly, however I don’t believe she is finished but. Nonetheless, I feel she’d like extra break day.

2. Tatiana Suarez. I spoke to Suarez on Saturday and he or she informed me that her neck continues to be giving her issues and her go back timetable continues to be up within the air.

three. The winner of the Michelle Waterson vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk combat on Oct. 12. I feel the UFC will look ahead to that combat to play out sooner than deciding who Zhang will combat subsequent. No wish to rush issues. If Waterson wins, I feel she’s the particular frontrunner, and I would not be stunned if Jedrzejczyk will get the nod if she wins, too.

Greater than meets the attention

Zhang’s professional report is now 20-1. She has received 20 in a row after shedding her professional debut to Meng Bo in 2013, however in keeping with her supervisor, Brian Butler, that combat wasn’t a professional combat and mustn’t rely on her report:

“I used to be sitting at a dinner together with her and he or she informed me the tale of her first loss,” Butler informed ESPN on Sunday. “Technically, it mustn’t also be on her professional report since the combat used to be an beginner combat and the combat used to be by no means finished. The ref, for no reason why, stopped the combat after the second one around, so all 3 rounds were not even finished. Everyone used to be perplexed. There used to be by no means any clarification given.”

Bizarre, proper? Butler is proper, through the best way. Each and every main combat database has her shedding by way of unanimous determination after two rounds. And sooner than you are saying, So what? Take into account, 20-Zero is an entire lot other from a advertising and marketing viewpoint than 20-1. Simply ask Jon Jones. It may well be onerous to determine what in point of fact came about right here, however I am at the case. Keep tuned.

First light of a brand new technology

To not be forgotten, Li Jingliang, who for the longest time gave the impression of the UFC’s most sensible Chinese language fighter, had his best possible efficiency thus far when he defeated Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by way of third-round TKO on Saturday. While you imagine how just right he appeared in that combat, in addition to Zhang’s win and Track Yadong emerging up the ranks, too, the long run feels supremely shiny for Chinese language MMA hastily.

Highest UFC 242 primer

If in case you have by no means observed the documentary, “Fightville,” do your self a prefer and test it out sooner than Saturday. Now not most effective is it one of the vital best possible MMA medical doctors ever, however it additionally includes a very younger Dustin Poirier seeking to make a reputation for himself within the regional Louisiana MMA scene. It’s going to provide you with nice appreciation for the lengthy adventure Poirier has been directly to get up to now. “Paid in complete” is not only a adorable slogan he got here up with. No, Dustin Poirier has earned this second.

Recollections

The UFC’s first pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi in virtually 10 years has me feeling nostalgic this week.

You spot, UFC 112 is an match I can by no means overlook.

That used to be the UFC’s first commute to Abu Dhabi again in April 2010. 3 months prior, Flash Leisure, an entirely owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi govt, bought 10 p.c of the promotion, so the development felt necessary. The beginning of a brand new bankruptcy, if you’ll. Everybody knew the UFC sought after to make a touch in its UAE debut.

The entire week used to be memorable, from the makeshift outside stadium being in-built a few months, to the unusually a professional fan base consuming up the entire combat week actions. It simply felt like a in point of fact particular time for the corporate and the game.

And then the development came about. To be transparent, it used to be a nice match, highlighted through Frankie Edgar beating BJ Penn for the primary time to seize the light-weight identify, however it ended with a ordinary appearing from then-middleweight champion Anderson Silva towards Demian Maia, which left a bitter style in everybody’s mouth. As you might recall, White used to be unsatisfied with Silva that evening. The temper used to be awkward and uncomfortable. No person knew how White and the UFC would reprimand Silva for his lackluster appearing and, extra importantly, for ruining the most-anticipated second in their large UAE debut.

I’m going to by no means overlook that post-fight information convention. The stress within the air used to be palpable. I used to be considered one of 3 North American newshounds who made the commute to hide the development, so I felt power to in point of fact seize the scene as best possible as imaginable. I consider playing that power very a lot. The presser wasn’t streamed on-line, so I determined to live-tweet the entire newsworthy moments. I began the evening with four,00Zero Twitter fans and ended with 7,00Zero (I vividly recall warring parties Joe Lauzon and Patrick Cote following me all through my tweet-a-thon). The MMA international used to be captivated through this tale and it felt like everybody used to be depending on me for the post-fight protection.

However you recognize what’s going to keep on with me endlessly from that evening? After the inside track convention, and after his commonplace postfight scrum, as soon as everybody began submitting out of the very humid tent we have been in, I requested White for an interview. I knew he did not need to do it, however I had to check out. He stated sure. That used to be the primary YouTube interview I ever did that generated greater than 1,000,000 perspectives, and it did so in lower than 24 hours. That is an interview I’m going to by no means overlook. To be fair, it felt like a turning level in my younger occupation. And I’m going to all the time be appreciative of the truth that White stated sure to my interview request.

Here is hoping the principle match at UFC 242 ends on a brighter word.

On my thoughts

I in point of fact like that Carlos Condit vs. Mickey Gall combat on Dec. 7. Vintage Joe Silva combat. Can the vet get again on the right track or does the teen get an enormous win. Great one. … Very curious what the UFC will do with their Nov. 2 and Dec. 14 pay-per-view presentations. I will be able to see them hanging 3 identify fights at the year-end card. On occasion the cabinet is naked and now and again it is overflowing. This time it is the latter. However what about MSG? As I have discussed at the display not too long ago, the principle match for that card isn’t a carried out deal but. Surely, the most important combat they may placed on at this time is Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal, however can they get that deal carried out so quickly? Turns out like an extended shot. Attention-grabbing instances forward. … Now not sufficient persons are speaking about Kai Kara-France. The flyweight New Zealander has now received 8 in a row and trains out of Town Kickboxing, a gymnasium that also is house to Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski and Dan Hooker. Take into account his identify, too. … Paige VanZant‘s feedback ultimate week made somewhat the splash, eh? Stunned how a lot that unfold. I feel she finally ends up together with her husband in Bellator after her ultimate UFC combat. … Cris Cyborg hasn’t signed with any individual but. I would be stunned at this level if she does not signal with Bellator, too. … That photograph of Stipe Miocic cleansing a rest room on the firehouse whilst dressed in the UFC identify used to be super. Even higher used to be the mustache he used to be wearing. Please stay that, Stipe. … Henry Cejudo hasn’t fought in 3 months, but he appears to be within the information each few days because of his impressive use of social media. I imply, even Zhang used to be requested about him in her postfight information convention. He is doing a really perfect process of protecting his identify available in the market. … Jessica Andrade treated that loss in point of fact smartly, however she must be lamenting the best way she approached that combat. Why so competitive to begin? … Junior dos Santos is recently competing within the Brazilian model of “Dancing With the Stars.” Do your self a prefer and to find the clip of his efficiency this previous week. He will not be the smoothest dancer, however he’s so darn likable you’ll’t assist however smile whilst gazing him do his factor available in the market. … One week later, I nonetheless really feel in point of fact torn about Darren Until vs. Kelvin Gastelum at MSG. At the one hand, I like that Until is in spite of everything shifting as much as 185. This transfer is a 12 months past due. Then again, Gastelum is not any simple out. Interesting combat. … Please not more BJ Penn fights within the UFC. Please.

One final thing

Just right to listen to each Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier say that Tony Ferguson must get the following identify shot. It could be a criminal offense if this does not occur.


And with that, here is these days’s Helwani Display lineup (Word the 1:30 p.m. ET get started time. That is for this week most effective.)

1:30 p.m. — New UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili will sign up for us to recap her ancient win this weekend.

1:55 p.m. — Paul Felder will preview his UFC 242 rematch towards Edson Barboza.

2:15 p.m. — Joanne Calderwood will sit up for her UFC 242 combat towards Andrea Lee.

2:30 p.m. — Carlos Condit will speak about his Dec. 7 combat towards Mickey Gall.

2:45 p.m. — Dominick Cruz will reply to Henry Cejudo’s fresh callout and likewise replace us on his shoulder rehab.

three:05 p.m. — In his first interview since UFC 238, Tony Ferguson will speak about his position within the department and his long term.

three:45 p.m. — Darren Until will preview his UFC 244 middleweight debut towards Kelvin Gastelum.

four:05 p.m. — Kevin Lee will replace us on what is subsequent for him.

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