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UFC: Zhang Weili to fight Rose Namajunas ‘this year and in Asia,’ says Dana White

  • China’s strawweight champion has not fought since beating Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Fight of the Year last March
  • ‘Thug Rose’ remains top choice with Carla Esparza next in line as fans await fight confirmation

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UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili before her fight with former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Photo: AP

UFC boss Dana White wants strawweight champion Zhang Weili to fight Rose Namajunas “this year and in Asia”.

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Speaking to the promotion’s broadcast partner ESPN, White moved to clear up the next step for the Chinese fighter, who has not fought since she beat Poland’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the Fight of the Year at UFC 248 last March.

White sparked confusion over a possible title fight with “Thug Rose”, claiming that the Lithuanian-American did not want to take the challenge, which her team denied.

Now it appears that Namajunas remains White’s first choice for Zhang’s next bout and at some point this year.

“We’re working on her, too,” White said of the strawweight champion. “Obviously, the fight everybody wants to see is her and Rose.

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