From her stunning capture of the UFC Strawweight Championship in 2019, to a difficult downturn in 2021, and now her third consecutive title defense in 2025, Chinese MMA fighter Zhang Weili has carved out her own unique fighting philosophy with a blend of power and intellect.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Zhang revealed that "coming back from a low point, I've integrated traditional Chinese cultural philosophy into mixed martial arts, learning to be like water: soft yet strong, firm yet flexible, adapting to every situation."

Produced by Xinhua Global Service■