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Andrew Cesare Richardson

China’s Zhang Weili has been voted Female Fighter of the Year at the World MMA awards on Friday.
The strawweight champion and world No 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings was the first female, Asian athlete to become a champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
And her most recent bout saw her defeat compatriot Yan Xiaonan by a unanimous decision at UFC 300 in April to retain her strawweight title.
This was the second time has won the yearly award, having also claimed it in 2022.
“Thank you for voting for me as the best female fighter of 2024,” Zhang said in a video message. “Thank you to all the fans that voted for me. Thank you to everyone at Fighters Only.

“Thank you to all my opponents. This year was a great year, and next year will be even better.”
The award was presented by actor Will Yun Lee, who added: “As someone who spent my career portraying strong, powerful characters, I’ve always been inspired by real-life warriors.
“These women showed not just skill, but [also] heart, determination and a relentless drive to be the best. The winner for Female Fighter of the Year is Zhang Weili.”
Zhang first won the strawweight title with a TKO victory over Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen in 2020 and her first defence saw her overcome Joanna Jedrzejczyk in a split decision that was named Fight of the Year.
After losing back-to-back fights with Rose Namajunas, she won back her title with a second victory over Jedrzejczky in November 2022 and UFC 281.
She has since defended it with a submission victory over Carla Esparza and a unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos.
UFC was named Best Promotion, as Brazil’s Alex Pereira won the Charles Lewis Fighter of the Year award. Tom Aspinall won the Breakthrough title and Max Holloway’s victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 was named the Best Fight and Knockout of 2024.


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

China’s UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili voted Female Fighter of the Year for 2024

UFC world strawweight champion Zhang Weili was named Female Fighter of the Year for 2024. Photo: FIRST International Film Festival

Zhang Weili (centre) of China defended her strawweight title against Carla Esparza in 2022. Photo: Xinhua

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Song Yadong (left) says Strickland’s comments amount to “discrimination towards Chinese people”. Photo: Zuffa LLC

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Sport

Martial Arts

Strawweight champion and world No 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings was the first female, Asian athlete to become a UFC champion


Strawweight champion and world No 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings was the first female, Asian athlete to become a UFC champion.


China’s UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili voted Female Fighter of the Year for 2024

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Strawweight champion and world No 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings was the first female, Asian athlete to become a UFC champion

Strawweight champion and world No 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings was the first female, Asian athlete to become a UFC champion