Strawweight champion Weili Zhang’s camp will relocate to Las Vegas to prepare for her UFC 248 title defence, as coronavirus pandemic concerns grow.
The World Health Organisation recently declared the outbreak of coronavirus a global health emergency, as the infection has spread across several countries since it originated in China.
And Zhang and her team have now confirmed plans to move camp to the USA as concern grows.
The 30-year-old is set to defend her UFC title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk on March 7 in Las Vegas.
Rising Concerns
The Chinese champion had initially opted to stay in Beijing in the lead-up to her co-headliner with Jedrzejczyk.
But with issues arising in the capital city, Zhang and her team are now looking to move away from the country.
Zhang’s manager, Brian Butler, has revealed that he’s working tirelessly on securing a move away from China for the champion.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Butler said: “The UFC has been working hard to expedite getting Weili and her team here for precautionary reasons,”
“I have connected the UFC with Tulsi Gabbard again who is graciously trying to help push things forward.”
Gabbard has offered her assistance to Zhang before, when the champion was trying to secure a visa to go on a promotional tour of the USA after claiming her title.
Controversy
Jedrzejczyk sparked controversy last week when she posted a meme making light of the deadly virus on her Instagram.
Zhang lashed out at her rival for the joke, writing on Instagram: “To make fun of tragedy is a true sign of ones character. People are dying, someones father, someones mother, someones child.”
“Say what you want about me if it makes you feel stronger but do not joke about what’s happening here. I wish you good health until March 7th. I will see you soon.”
The Polish contender has since deleted the post and issued an apology.
Potential Problems
Zhang isn’t the only Chinese fighter whose plans could be affected by the coronavirus.
Li Jingliang is booked to face Neil Magny on the same fight card in Las Vegas, and is also training in her home country.
Meanwhile, Xionan Yan is set to battle Karolina Kowalkiewicz in Auckland on February 22.
Ruy Menenez, who coaches Li and Yan, has assured that his fighters’ plans haven’t been affected by the virus, and they’ll fly to New Zealand on February 15th as planned.
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Weili Zhang)