When Zhang Weili marches toward the Octagon on fight night, you can almost feel the pressure tighten around the arena. At 26–3, the first Chinese UFC champion has built a legacy on grit, speed, and relentless drive. And now, with UFC 322 approaching, where she moves up and challenges Valentina Shevchenko for flyweight gold, fans have once again started asking an old question: Why exactly is she called “Magnum”?

The nickname has followed her from her early regional fights all the way to championship headliners. But where did it come from? And what does it really say about her identity inside the Octagon?

What Does ‘Magnum’ Mean for Zhang Weili? How She Got Her Iconic Moniker

Weili’s early career saw her use her sharp striking while being able to control the distance with her excellent agility, and understanding of range to great effect. Her willingness to get into a firefight, especially early on in her career, and dedication to the sport have seen her become one of the most successful female fighters in UFC history already. Currently ranked #2 on the women’s pound-for-pound list, she is considered one of the top fighters in the world, and that’s how she got her nickname.

Although it’s not a confirmed fact, the strawweight champion’s nickname is believed to be a word that describes her high-octane fighting style. But the exact reason and story behind it is unknown. Having suffered setbacks before in her MMA career to becoming one of the best, the ‘Magnum’ moniker has now become pretty synonymous with the Chinese native. While we’ve established a bit about her nickname, did you know that there is a bit of a twist in Zhang Weili’s real name?

More about Zhang Weili’s Early Life & Background

There have been several discussions online about the unusual way Zhang Weili’s name is pronounced, which consumes most Western MMA fans. Well, some people may not be aware that in certain countries of Asia, which also includes her native country of China, a person’s family name always comes first while their given name comes second.

In the same way, fellow Chinese strawweight fighter Yan Xiaonan also has her family name first and then her given name. Meanwhile, both of these fighters are happy to have their family name first because success as they garner inside the Octagon, it also elevates their family name.

Weili was born on September 30, 1990, in Handan, Hebei, a place known for its Taichi roots and working-class grit. Her father was a miner. Her mother was a homemaker. Her brother worked as a gold trader before giving it up to support his sister full-time. In many ways, her family’s resilience laid the foundation for her own. Her martial arts story began early. 

At six years old, she started Shaolin Kung Fu after being inspired by martial arts films. She added athletics, table tennis, and football. Then, at 12, she joined a specialized martial arts school where she trained in Sanda and Shuai Jiao. She dominated local competitions and became a Hebei Sanda champion multiple times.

But combat sports aren’t kind. A recurring back injury forced her out of the provincial Sanda team. For a moment, the dream cracked but Zhang Weili didn’t quit. At 17, she moved to Beijing, where survival became its own kind of training. She worked as a cashier, hotel receptionist, kindergarten teacher, and security guard. Later, she found a job in a gym, a turning point that changed everything. 

After hours, they let her use the equipment for free and there she discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the fighters who would influence her future. One of them was Chinese MMA pioneer Wu Haotian, who took her to Black Tiger Fight Club. That’s where she met coach Cai Xuejun, the man who recognized her potential and decided to build ‘Magnum’ into an MMA fighter. And as she now moves up to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title at UFC 322, the moniker seems poised to carry yet another chapter of her story!