A lighthearted challenge unfolded between UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili and bantamweight standout Merab Dvalishvili, culminating in an amusing yet impactful moment.
Renowned as one of the premier female mixed martial artists globally, 34-year-old Chinese sensation Zhang Weili has cemented her status as a dynamic and formidable striker since her UFC debut in 2018. Throughout her tenure, Weili has encountered formidable adversaries and clinched the strawweight title in 2019.
Although she suffered a setback with the loss of her belt to Rose Namajunas, Weili staged a remarkable comeback, reclaiming the championship in 2022 following a victory over Carla Esparza. In her most recent outing, Weili successfully defended her title against Amanda Lemos, securing a unanimous decision victory in their August clash.
As her next challenge looms on the horizon against compatriot Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300’s main card set for April 13 in Las Vegas, Weili remains entrenched in rigorous training at her camp. Amidst her preparations, Weili found time for a moment of levity, engaging in a playful exchange with UFC bantamweight star Merab Dvalishvili, a frequent training partner.
During a recent training session, Dvalishvili proposed a novel challenge to Weili – the body shot challenge. In an unexpected twist, they opted for a kick rather than a punch. A snippet of their antics, which rapidly gained traction on social media, captured Dvalishvili bracing himself as Weili unleashed a potent sidekick aimed at his midsection.
The forceful impact of the kick visibly staggered Dvalishvili, eliciting both surprise and laughter from the participants. Despite experiencing discomfort, Dvalishvili maintained his composure, demonstrating sportsmanship as the duo exchanged a handshake before the video concluded.
The clip swiftly went viral, eliciting amusement from viewers while some noted Dvalishvili’s evident reaction to the blow.
Social media reactions included comments such as, “You know that sh*t hurts,” and “You know you’re hurt when you immediately go for the handshake.”