赢了!“现在,我是世界的伟丽!”丨Weili of the world wins UFC title for China
导读
11月13日,UFC281比赛在美国结束,中国选手张伟丽强势裸绞战胜卡拉·埃斯帕扎重夺金腰带。2019年至今历经5场金腰带之战,如今的张伟丽更为成熟,也更值得期待。
2019年,张伟丽第一次拿下金腰带,也让更多的中国人了解了MMA(综合格斗)这项运动。3年后再度赢得金腰带,张伟丽也从“中国的伟丽”变成了“世界的伟丽”。重夺金腰带之后,张伟丽在现场接受采访时表示,她有很多终结对手的方式,裸绞是其中一种。“我回来了!我想跟所有鼓励我、支持我的粉丝们说声,谢谢你们。”张伟丽说,第一次拿金腰带是在中国,那时候她还是是中国的伟丽,“现在,我是世界的伟丽。”
China's MMA star Zhang Weili reclaimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight title in New York on Saturday by beating former belt holder Carla Esparza in an overwhelming fashion.
▲ China's Zhang Weili celebrates after defeating Carla Esparza in a women's strawweight title bout at UFC 281 in New York. [Photo/VCG]
Fighting at the packed Madison Square Garden, Zhang delivered after back-and-forth scrambles in the second round to lock a rear-naked choke against Esparza, forcing her opponent to tap about one minute into the second stanza while becoming the strawweight queen of the Las Vegas-based promotion for a second time.
After the win, Zhang, who first won the 115-pound division's belt in August 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, paid tribute to her supporters from home and abroad.
"The first time I won the champion, I did it at home. This time in New York, I feel like I have the same level of support as I had at home," said Zhang, who lost the belt to American fighter Rose Namajunas in her second title defense in April 2021.
▲ China's Zhang Weili celebrates after defeating Carla Esparza in a women's strawweight title bout at UFC 281 in New York. [Photo/CCTV News]
"I might be only the Weili of China before. Now I am the Weili of the world," said a proud Zhang to rousing reaction from the MSG.
Entering the bout, a co-main event on UFC 281, Zhang enjoyed louder cheers than Esparza, a California native, in a reverse-home-court fashion as the crowd cheered Zhang, who is known for an aggressive and fan-pleasing striking style.
The first round was closely contested. Esparza, who outlasted Namajunas in a low-action bout in May to win the belt, had her moments with a few takedowns but Zhang appeared to land the more significant punches.
In Round 2, Esparza went for a takedown, yet Zhang snatched Esparza's back in a scramble, then trapped Esparza's left arm with both of her legs before eventually locking in the deadly choke to defeat the American veteran.
▲ China's Zhang Weili celebrates after defeating Carla Esparza in a women's strawweight title bout at UFC 281 in New York. [Photo/VCG]
记者:孙晓晨
编辑:陈月华