Zhang Weili embracing threat of unbeaten Tatiana Suarez

Zhang Weili is ready for the challenge that the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez will bring to the table at UFC 312.

Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will attempt to make the third defense of her second strawweight title reign when she meets Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the co-headliner of Saturday’s co-headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).

Suarez has been pegged as a future title challenger and likely future champion since she won “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series in July 2016. Her climb to the top has been hindered by injuries and layoffs, but now the opportunity is here.

She will have to get through Weili in order to have her potential realized, though, and the champion said she’s been waiting for this moment.

“I believe I would fight Tatiana sooner or later because she has a great track record, and she’s also very high in the rankings,” Weili told MMA Junkie through an interpreter on Tuesday. “I think Tatiana is very good at grappling and wrestling, and I’m very happy I can fight with her in Australia. I think Tatiana is the best wrestler and grappler of all the opponents I have faced. But I think all of Tatiana’s strengths have a way to solve it and a way to handle it.”

Although Suarez can’t boast the same MMA accolades as the champion, Weili said she doesn’t expect this to be an overwhelming moment. She said Suarez isn’t going to shatter under the pressure in or out of the octagon during her first championship fight week, and Weili points to the many trails and tribulations she’s overcome to reach this point as a reason why.

“I think Tatiana is a fighter who is very persistent,” Weili said. “She has faced many adversities in her life so I’m sure she will be very persistent.”

For Weili, she is looking at UFC 312 as the next chapter in her story. Weili has been the betting favorite for each of her previous seven UFC title fights to this point, but it’s never as close to a coin flip, with some oddsmakers even listing Suarez as the slightest of favorites.

Weili said that’s not rattled her at all. She thinks all the promise around Suarez to claim gold is warranted, but it’s her job to leave with the belt.

“I don’t think I need to prove people wrong,” Weili said. “Tatiana is a good fighter and I understand why people think this is a close fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.