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Tag: UFC 248

  • Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 1 Earns UFC Hall of Fame Spot

    Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 1 Earns UFC Hall of Fame Spot

    One of the greatest fights in the history of women’s MMA, if not the greatest fight in the history of women’s MMA, now has its rightful place in the UFC Hall of Fame.

    The UFC 248 women’s strawweight championship contest between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk has been announced as the newest inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026, as part of its Fight Wing.

    The announcement was made during the UFC 326 broadcast. It marks the first women’s fight to be honored in the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Over five rounds, the two women clashed relentlessly, putting on jaw-dropping striking displays against one another. Jedrzejczyk displayed strong combinations, while Zhang found great success with her powerful punching.

    Neither fighter appeared to slow down their momentum, and nearly all five rounds could have fallen either fighters’ way. Jedrzejczyk sported a massive hematoma on her head by the fight’s end, but the two went pillar to post, back-and-forth for a full 25 minutes.

    Zhang earned the decision win, but both women were seen as winners after the fight, which earned 2020’s Fight of the Year honors.

    This is Jedrzejczyk’s second UFC Hall of Fame induction, being named an individual entrant inducted into the Modern Wing in 2024.

    The fight joins Dominick Cruz in the UFC Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.

  • (Archives) White: Costa Tried To Use Fake Doctor To Get Cleared (2020)

    The following article was published on this day two years ago, and it is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Two Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 5, 2020, 10:15 AM]

    UFC president Dana White says Paulo Costa attempted to be cleared by a fake doctor so he could fight Israel Adesanya.

    Following Adesanya’s UFC 243 knockout win over Robert Whittaker, Costa was in attendance and took shots at the champ. The two were then scheduled to fight at this event but an injury to the Brazilian left Yoel Romero to step in.

    Although Costa was reported to be out for six months, White said Costa got one of his friends to pretend to be a doctor so he could get cleared.

    “I respect him,” White said a recent media scrum (via MMA Mania). “I respect the fact he wants to fight. ‘I’m ready, I’m ready,’ no you’re not. You’re not a doctor. And then he got some guy who’s his buddy or something to say he’s okay. No, that’s not how this works. I don’t want to push him and make him hurt himself again. Take your time, you’re getting the fight, that fight is gonna happen, don’t worry about it.”

    “He’s close, but let’s take our time,” White continued, encouraging Costa to slow down. “The more time the better with that injury. Then he starts throwing up videos of himself hitting the mitts and doing all kinds of crazy s*** that he probably shouldn’t be doing right now. But he’s a freak athlete too, so who knows. I just don’t want the guy to get hurt again.”

    There is no doubt Costa is next in line for the winner of the main event between Adesanya and Romero.

  • Archives: Zhang Takes Aim At Jędrzejczyk Over Coronavirus Joke (2020)

    Prior to the epic encounter between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 248 that saw Zhang emerge victorious via split decision, there was already some tension between the two athletes as evident in the below article.

    The following article was published on this day two years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Two Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 29, 2020, 4:59 PM]

    Headline: Weili Zhang Takes Aim At Joanna Jedrzejczyk Over Coronavirus Joke

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    Joanna Jędrzejczyk is under fire for making a joke aimed at Weili Zhang involving the deadly coronavirus.

    According to CBS News, the death toll caused by the coronavirus has risen to 132. Over 5,900 cases have been confirmed in China. Zhang was born in Handan, China.

    Jędrzejczyk Makes Controversial Joke, Zhang Responds

    Jędrzejczyk, who is set to challenge Zhang for the UFC strawweight championship on March 7, shared an image poking fun at Zhang by using the current epidemic. The post has been deleted, but you can see the picture below.

    Zhang Fires Back, Jędrzejczyk Tries To Clear The Air

    Taking to Instagram, Zhang responded to Jędrzejczyk and made it clear that she feels the joke was out of line.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B76CKOrpsFz/?utm_source=ig_embed

    “To make fun of tragedy is a true sign of ones character. People are dying, someones father, someones mother, someones child. Say what you want about me if it makes you feel stronger but do not joke about what’s happening here. I wish you good health until March 7th. I will see you soon.”

    Jędrzejczyk attempted to clear the air on sharing the post but she also threw in another dig at the 115-pound champion in a selfie video (h/t MMAJunkie.com).

    “Hey champ. Hey Weili. I’m so sorry to make you feel bad, but I’d never make fun of sick people or a virus. I didn’t want you to get offended. I just made fun of the funny internet meme. So, so sorry, but still, I’ll see you March 7. Don’t get emotional, OK?”