Zhang Weili’s latest Instagram posts gave MMA fans a different version of “Magnum” this week. The former UFC strawweight champion appeared in full makeup and a wig after working with a professional makeup artist, prompting disbelief, jokes and plenty of praise across the comments.
Zhang Weili Reveals New Look After Makeup Artist Session
Weili wrote, “There was a professional makeup artist who taught me to apply makeup. Trying new is not good.” Her posts showed the Chinese fighter getting her hair styled in a dressing room before revealing a look far removed from the braided, competition-ready image UFC viewers know.
The reaction quickly turned into a mix of shock and support. “Omg so cute!!!” one fan wrote, while another posted, “Hahahaha where is my real Weili ?! 😍😂😂 but I like this style too!”
Some fans leaned into the contrast between the makeover and Weili’s career in the cage. “To think there’s a killer underneath that wig,” read one comment. Another joked, “Now we need to see you fight like this. New Disney princess fr.”
More replies focused on the power of a professional makeover rather than any mystery around the reveal. “That’s not a K-pop filter guys 😂 she just has makeup and a wig 😂 yall forgot what makeup can do 😂,” one commenter said. Another added, “MMA Twitter discovering that Zhang Weili was a baddie this whole time is hilarious.”
The most playful responses imagined the look becoming part of her walkout gear. “If she fought like this, she’d be bigger than McGregor,” one fan said, while another wrote, “Lol she’s so dangerous but she just wants to do hot girl shit.” Other replies included, “Hear me out!!!!!!,” “is it possible to learn this sorcery,” and “She cute af period.”
Weili is 36 and owns a 26-4 professional MMA record. She became the UFC’s first champion from China in 2019, reclaimed the strawweight belt in 2022, then recorded title defenses against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan and Tatiana Suarez before vacating the 115-pound title for a flyweight challenge.
Her most recent fight came at UFC 322 in November 2025, when Valentina Shevchenko won a unanimous decision in their flyweight title bout. Weili has remained out of the Octagon since, leaving fans watching for word on her next move while she spends time showing a lighter side away from fight camp.
The new look has done its job as it reminded fans that the fighter who built a reputation through pressure, striking and grappling can have fun with a makeover too. The comments may be divided between disbelief and admiration, but almost everyone agrees the reveal caught them off guard.
