Dana White ‘definitely’ looking to bring UFC back to China following Yan Xiaonan’s awesome UFC 288 win

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) could return to China sooner than later.

Yan Xiaonan picked up the biggest win of her career last night (Sat., May 6, 2023), knocking out former women’s Strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade, in the first round from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In addition, Xiaonan picked up her first $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus with her violent finish.

During her in-cage interview with Joe Rogan after her big win, Xiaonan called for a title shot against fellow Chinese fighter, Zhang Weili.

“I think if both of us can represent the growth of the females from China at the highest levels of MMA, represent the highest levels of this sport,” Xiaonan told Rogan through an interpreter. “We’re proud of our country. So, Dana, let’s make it happen.”

There is no doubt that a Zhang vs. Xiaonan fight in China would be absolutely massive, and with that idea floating out there, UFC President, Dana White, thinks a trip to the Far East could be coming.

“What’s crazy is Teddy Atlas was sitting with me during that fight,” White told the media during UFC 288’s post-fight press conference (watch here). “He literally called exactly what was going to happen. [Andrade] threw like three hooks in a row, and he literally called it two minutes before it happened.

“Yeah, I don’t know what we’re gonna do with Yan and where she’s gonna go, but I’m definitely going to look at China,” White concluded. “I’m looking at that right now.”

The 33-year-old Chinese fighter has won two straight and will crack the Top 5 in UFC’s rankings when they are released this upcoming week.

For complete UFC 288 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.