The UFC straw title will be in play for the first time in almost 14 months, when champion Zhang Weili returns against Rose Namajunas.
The expected championship clash between Weili (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and Namajunas (9-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is scheduled to happen at UFC 261, which is scheduled to happen on April 24th. location and location have not been finalized.
MMA Junkie checked with several people close to the situation after an initial report of ESPN that although the contracts have not been finalized, verbal agreements are in place for the £ 115 title dispute. The people asked for anonymity because the UFC has not yet made an official announcement.
Weili, No. 1 in the last USA TODAY Sports / MMA Junkie strawweight ranking, has not competed since his first title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in March 2020. The fight was awarded the “Fight of the Year” by MMA Junkie but the Chinese champion, who has a 20-game winning streak, has seen no action since.
Runner-up Namajunas, meanwhile, will have a chance to regain the UFC belt he lost at UFC 237 in May 2019. After ending Jedrzejczyk’s long reign at the top of the weight class, Namajunas lost gold in an impressive knockout loss to Jessica Andrade. The duo had a rematch at UFC 251 in July, with Namajunas beating Andrade by unanimous decision.
The last lineup of UFC 261 now includes:
Champion Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas – for the strawweight title Champ Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade – for the female title fly Uriah Hall vs. Chris Weidman Jimmy Crute vs. Anthony Smith Danaa Batgerel vs. Kevin Natividad