Yan Xiaonan’s explosive victory over Jessica Andrade at UFC 288 may have set the stage for the biggest UFC event ever to be held in China. With an impressive 6-2 record over eight octagon appearances, Yan is now considered one of the top contenders in the UFC’s strawweight division. During Saturday’s post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White expressed interest in booking Yan to fight her compatriot, Zhang Weili, in an event held in China.

Yan confirmed that White expressed a similar interest backstage after the fight. Following these conversations, Yan expressed confidence that a UFC China event, potentially held at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, could happen at the end of this year, after China fully opened up with everything back to normal.

Yan believes Zhang will be the clear-cut favorite among Chinese fans, given that she is the current champion and a hero for the nation. Yan elaborated that social media has tried to drive a wedge between her and Zhang, creating tension and beef, but she remains supportive of her fellow athlete.

Yan’s sights are now set on this moment, relishing her victory over Andrade and looking ahead to the biggest MMA fight ever held between two Chinese fighters. Yan believes that a fight between her and Zhang, two girls who will fight for the gold, the number one and number two in the world.