Best MMA Fighters From China
Over the last few years, the MMA scene has been steadily growing in the nation of China. While the scene is still growing, some of the best MMA fighters from China have been making waves internationally.
Here is a list of the current best MMA fighters from China. Check out the list below and be sure to keep an eye on these talented fighters.
Zhang Weili
If you’re going to make a list of the best MMA fighters from China, UFC champion Zhang Weili must be included. She is the best MMA fighter to come from China and arguably one of the all-time best female fighters.
Weili quickly became a fan favorite after multiple impressive performances and won gamblers plenty of Yuan at online bookies, where you could even get a wide range of free bets on the favorites. After winning her first three UFC fights, Zhang shocked the world by quickly beating ex-champion Jessia Andrade.
After winning the title, Weili had brutal wars with ex-champions Joanna Champion and Rose Namajunas. Even though Zhang lost the title to Rose, she became a 2x champion after submitting Carla Esparza.
Zhang Weili is back on top of the division and looking to have a long title reign this time around. No matter what she does, Weili has already made history as the best fighter from China.
Song Yadong
Song Yadong is one of the best MMA fighters from China, who competes in the UFC bantamweight division. The Sanda practitioner has used impressive striking skills to move up the ranks.
Yadong made quite a first impression in his UFC debut at featherweight, where he won performance of the night honors. He won four of his first five UFC fights, which included top title contender Marlon “Chico” Vera.
Since then, Song took a couple losses, but put on some impressive performances against more top bantamweight contenders. Yadong has made his mark in the UFC and will look to become the first Chinese bantamweight champion.
Jingliang Li
Li Jinglian is not only one of the best MMA fighters from China, but also one of the most successful. “The Leech” was one of the first Chinese fighters to make it to the UFC in 2014 after going 8-2 in China.
In his ten years with the promotions, Li has put on some impressive performances and displayed his knockout power. Out of his eleven UFC wins, Jingliang has one nine by KO or TKO.
He is one of the more popular male Chinese fighters, who has established himself in the divison’s top 15 ranks. At 35, Li still has a few more years of fighting in him and will continue to pursue the welterweight title.
Su Mudaerji
Su Mudaerji is currently one of the best MMA fighters from China, who competes in the UFC flyweight division. “The Tibetan Eagle” compiled a 13-3 record mostly with the Wu Lin Feng promotion before entering the UFC.
During his current run within the promotion, Su has gone 3-3 with four of his bouts at flyweight. Despite the .500 UFC record, Mudaerji has put on some impressive performances.
He earned a performance of the night bonus with his 1st round KO of Malcolm Gordon in just 44 seconds. Also, despite losing his bout against Matt Schnell, Su earned another FOTN bonus, which was a top 10 fight of 2022.
Mudaerji is looking to get back on the winning track and see if he can make a run at the flyweight title.
Yan Xiaonon
Yan Xiaonon has quickly made a name for herself in the UFC women’s strawweight division. “Fury” came into the promotion with an impressive 9-1(1) record, which included nearly all of her wins by KO/TKO.
She made quite an impression in the women’s flyweight division after winning her first six fights in the UFC. Xiaonon did suffer a couple losses, but earned two statement wins against Mackenzie Dern and Jessica Andrade.
Those wins have put Yan in line to face the champ Weili at UFC 300. This match will be one of the most widely watched MMA fights in the history of China and the world.
Tiequan Zhang
Tiequan Zhang was one of the first Chinese MMA fighters to compete in the UFC. Zhang originally made his US debut by competing in the WEC during the late 2000s.
After the WEC-UFC merger, Tiequan competed in the UFC featherweight division beginning in 2011. In his debut, Zhang had the best performance of his career by submitting Jason Reinhardt in :48 seconds.
After that win, Zhang lost his last three bouts and retired from MMA. Ending his career with a respectable 15-4 record, which included 12 submission wins.
Heili Alateng
Heili Alateng is another one of the best MMA fighters from China, who currently competes in the UFC bantamweight division. Alateng was just 12-7 when he made his UFC debut on the undercard of the Weili vs. Andrade event in China.
“The Mongolian Knight” has made the most of his opportunity and has gone 4-2-1 in his current UFC run. In his first match in the UFC, Heili earned FOTN honors, which gave him a big fight contract.
Alateng will look to continue winning more bouts and make a name for himself within the bantamweight division.
Song Kenan
Song Kenan has made a name for himself as one of the best MMA fighters currently fighting in the UFC welterweight division. After earning an impressive 15-4 record, Kenan earned a spot in the UFC in 2017.
The native of Hebei, China made quite a debut with a :15 second KO, which earned him POTN honors. Since that win, Song has gone 4-4 in the promotion, but earned FOTN honors against veteran Alex Morono.
Currently with a record of 20-8, Kenan will continue his pursuit of breaking into the top ten welterweight ranks.
Sai Wong
Most fight fans don’t know Sai Wong outside of China, but he was one of the best MMA fighters from China. Sai had a successful ten year career with all of his fights taking place within his country.
In those ten years, Wong earned an impressive 29-6 record, which included 16 submissions and 9 KO/TKOs. In his last pro bout, Sai submitted UFC veteran Phil Baroni in the first round.
It’s a shame Sai never made it to the international stage, but he did have an impressive career.
Tang Kai
Tang Kai is one of the best MMA fighters currently fighting within ONE Championship. The young Chinese fighter first gained an interest in fighting after taking up wrestling at his local university.
Kai became dedicated to pursuing a career in fighting and quickly found success. He was able to become the first Chinese fighter to win the prestigious ONE Featherweight Championship.
He earned the title by beating champion Than Le at ONE 160. Since then, Kai has not defended his title. Kai is patiently waiting for his next bout to show the world he’s one of the best MMA fighters from China.
Xiong Jin Nan
While most fight fans know Zhang Weili, Xiong Jin Nan made history before her. Nan became the first Chinese MMA world champion in history in 2018.
Winning the inaugural ONE women’s strawweight title by defeating Tiffany Teo by TKO. During her reign as champion, Jin has defended her title a record seven times.
During this reign, she had an epic trilogy of fights against atomweight champ Angela Lee and defeated BJJ champion Michelle Nicolini.
Nan is not only one of the best MMA fighters from China, but one of the top female fighters in the world. If it was possible, fight fans would love to see a future bout between her and UFC champion Zhang Weili.
Meng Bo
Meng Bo is a 2x Chinese MMA champion and easily one of the best MMA fighters from China. She currently fights in the ONE Championship atomweight division and is currently in the promotion’s top 10 ranks.
She currently has earned an impressive 13-5 record with many of her wins coming by KO/TKO. At just 27 years old, Bo will continue her pursuit of the ONE Championship title.
Niu Kang Kang
Niu Kang Kang is one of the best MMA fighters from China that you probably don’t know. He is a talented lightweight fighter, who is currently signed to ONE Championship.
After earning a pro record of 5-2, Kang made his promotional debut with ONE in 2019. Niu impressively won his first two bouts that year, but strangely has not fought in 5 years.
He is still under contract, but for some reason has not competed. Maybe we’ll see this talented fighter in the future and he can show the world his skills.
Chen Rui
Chen Rui is one of the best Chinese featherweights in the world, who currently competes in ONE Championship. The young featherweight earned a spot in ONE after going 12-2 with Chinese promotions.
Despite making it to the international stage. Rui has gone 5-4 within the promotion and has traded wins and losses in his 9 ONE bouts.
Xie Wei
Xie “ The Hunter” Wei has been one of the best MMA fighters from China, who fights within ONE Championship. Wei made his presence known within the promotion by winning his first six fights in ONE by TKO.
Since then, Wei has gone 3-3 with three more stoppage victories. Any time “The Hunter” steps into the cage, you can expect an exciting fight.
