Zhang Weili's Net Worth 2024, Career, and Family

Who is Zhang Weili?

Zhang Weili is one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster. She is a Chinese mixed martial artist and became the first fighter from her country to become a champion in the UFC after she defeated Jessica Andrade at UFC Fight Night in August 2019. The currently two-time UFC Strawweight Champion is also one of the most noted faces in the women's division. The UFC audiences seem to love her 'talk less work more' attitude thoroughly.

Zhang Weili’s Early Life

Weili was born on 13 August 1989 in the Handan, Hebei located in the Southwest region of China. Her father was a miner and her mother raised him as a homemaker. The little troublemaker that Weili was, she was always interested in the fighting game.

Inspired by Kung Fu movies, Weili began training in martial arts at an early age. After training in Shaolin Kung Fu, she transitioned to Sanda and Shuai Jiao. Finally, she took up BJJ. While several sources sing songs of Weili's athletic prowess, there aren't any detailed references to her school itself.

Zhang Weili's Family, Partner, and Children

As mentioned above, Weili's father was a miner who is enjoying retirement currently, while her mother is a homemaker. That said, their names are known to the media. She also has an older brother who played a huge part in getting her to where she is today.

Reports state that her brother used to work as a gold trader. But after noticing Weili's MMA talents, he gave up his job to support her with training and other routines. To date, he hasn't given up Weili's side as he currently works in the gyms where 'Magnum' trains.

Looking at the privacy Weili maintains regarding her personal life, it's quite apparent that there are pretty few reports about her current relationship status. While some reports also say that she is in a relationship with the CEO of 'Stride Gym', Ruben Payan Jr, some suggest that she is currently not romantically involved with anyone. Weili also has no kids.

Zhang Weili's Net worth in 2024

Looking at the superb prowess of Weili and her ability to put on an absolute show, it's obvious that her UFC contract is rather good. As of 2024, Weili boasts a total net worth of about $2M. That said, a major chunk of that $2 million came from other big investments and businesses she has undertaken.  According to certain reports,  the champion takes home a purse of $250,000 through her 10 fights under the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Weili earned the biggest payday of her entire UFC career for her UFC 248 bout against 'The Boogeywoman' Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Reports say she pocketed an amount of $290,000 after her victory against Jedrzejczyk.

Apart from her earnings from the UFC, 'Magnum' has also made a considerable amount of wealth from her endorsements.

 Zhang Weili’s Partnerships and Endorsements

Currently, she promotes a number of brands, like Perfect Sports, Heilan Home, and Under Armour.

Zhang Weili's MMA career and highlights

Weili took up martial arts at the young age of 6 years. She started training in Shaolin Kung Fu under the tutelage of a local master. Her passion for Kung Fu films played a massive part in fueling her interest. After continuing in regular school until the age of 12, Weili's parents sent her to a specialized martial arts school. She started training in Sanda and Shuai jiao, a Chinese form of wrestling.

She also won the Sanda tournament of the Hebei province multiple times. Her prowess also earned her a spot in the Jiangsu province Sanda team. However, she picked up an injury during her training sessions for the same. It restricted her from competing in the tournament.

After moving to Beijing in 2010, Weili had to support herself completely. She took up a number of jobs during this time, ending up as a gym instructor. She got hooked on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and also started training in it. But, it was her friendship with the Chinese MMA legend, Wu Haotian, that finally helped her turn into a professional MMA athlete.

Haotian once brought Weili to her training facility, Black Tiger Fight Club. There, his coach noticed the spark that Weili had in martial arts. He suggested 'Magnum' to train in MMA and she was happy to oblige. After training for almost 3 years, the 34-year-old decided to take up MMA as her profession.

Zhang made her professional MMA debut in 2013. Unfortunately, she lost her first-ever match via a unanimous decision. She then finished her next twelve opponents in under three rounds. She saw the third round for the first time in her bout against Aline Sattelmayer at Kunlun Fight MMA 12.

Weili extended her win streak to 16 before signing with the UFC. The Chinese fighter dominated her first three opponents in the promotion. "Magnum" then fought former champion, Jessica Andrade, in her fourth bout.

It did not even take Weili a full minute to finish Andrade with debilitating knees and punches. She became the first Chinese UFC champion, and she did it in her home country. Then, she went on to defend her UFC women's strawweight title against Joanna Jędrzejczykdrzejczyk. With only one title defense, Weili clashed against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. Namajunas ended Weili's win streak with a highlight-reel head kick KO in the first round.

Since then, Weili has fought in three more fights and won two of them. After her second loss to 'Thug Rose' at UFC 268, she finished off her bold rival Joanna Jędrzejczyk once again at the UFC 275 with a spinning-back fist KO. Moreover, she reclaimed the UFC Strawweight championship in her last bout against Carla Esparza at UFC 281. As of now, he still holds the championship and stands as a two-time UFC Strawweight champion.

Weili has admitted that her prowess in the UFC has boosted her to the status of a star in her home country of China. They believe Weili has led the way for Chinese martial artists, setting an example of how nothing is impossible if you have the dedication to achieve it. She is also the face of the UFC's ventures in China, which has also added to her popularity.

Zhang Weili's Record and Stats

After a thoroughly dominant early professional career, Weili currently boasts a UFC record of 9-2 while her overall MMA record stands at a remarkable 24-3-0. She won the 'Fight of the Night' bonus for her fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk and a 'Performance of the Night' bonus for her fight with Jessica Andrade.

Zhang Weili's Fighting Style

Weili showcases superb aggression in her fights. She likes pressuring down her opponents and fires a collection of kicks and hand strikes in the process. Despite having commendable control on the ground game too, it might be said that Weili likes to fight standing up. Like her favorite MMA fighter, Tony Ferguson, Weili likes to pressure her opponent. She prefers to strike with her opponent, though she can fight anywhere.

Zhang Weili's Titles

Weili is currently the undisputed UFC Women's Strawweight Champion, a title she had held once before. During her time at JLF, she had also been crowned the Female Strawweight champion. Prior to that, she had been the Top FC Strawweight Champion. 

Zhang Weili’s Social Media Accounts