Tatiana Suarez confident she can break Zhang Weili at UFC 312: ‘I can do that to anybody’

Aug 5, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tatiana Suarez (blue gloves) gets ready for a round against Jessica Andrade (red gloves) (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Tatiana Suarez is confident she can put a stop to any woman in the world, and that includes UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili

Only one person has been able to finish Weili in 28 fights, and only two have been able to beat her, yet Suarez believes she can join that exclusive club this Saturday at UFC 312 (pay-per-view, ESPN2/Disney+, ESPN+), which takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Suarez (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) challenges Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) for her 115-pound UFC title in the co-main event of the card, and she has all the intent to make a statement.

“I think I can do that to anybody in the world,” Suarez said when asked if she can break Zhang during UFC 312 media day. “I’m super relentless. I keep going. I have a really good gas tank. The thing that separates me from a lot of people is just my relentlessness. My wrestling is second to none. I have a series of attacks that I’m good at, and once I start flowing, it’s very, very hard to stop me. And in just grappling in general, they think that they’re safe, and all of a sudden they’re in a choke.

“That’s definitely my best attribute. I’ve been grappling since I was 3 years old. She says she has a lot of experience, but I also have a lot of experience in combat sports since I was a really young girl, and I carry that over to today.”

Suarez has been in title contention for many years, but has yet to get a shot at the belt, mainly due to injuries. The time is finally here to prove to her fans that she’s indeed been the best in the world.

“For me, I’m always about proving things,” Suarez said. “People say that, and they see my ability, and they see how great I am, and it’s very flattering. But yeah, it’s one of those things where I just kind of want to go do it. That time is now. I thought it would be years ago, but my time is now. Just excited to be here.”