Several media sources have reported that Zhang Tie Quan will make his WEC debut against Alex Karalexis at WEC 51. The card will take place Sept. 30 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfeidl, Colo.

Quan is a Mongolian-Chinese prospect fighting out of China Top Team. He is the first ever Chinese Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt. After winning the Inner Mongolian Wrestling Championships at age 16, he was recruited to fight Sanda, or Sanshou, at one of the top academies in China. After five years of training and competing, Art of War promoter Andy Pi began to teach the fighter Brazilian jiu-jitsu and preparing him for an MMA career.

At Art of War 1, Quan made his MMA debut and won by submission over Zhao Yun Fei. Since then, he has not looked back. His record currently stands at 10-0 three knockouts and seven submissions. In his last fight, he defeat Daniel Digby by neck crank only 30 seconds into the fight.

After he failed to win the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC brought Karalexis back. In his first fight, he knocked out Josh Rafferty in the first round. However, his success was short lived. His dropped his next two fights and received his release from the promotion. Zuffa resigned Karalexis to their WEC brand in 2007, and he has been fighting there ever since. Under the WEC banner he is 4-3. In his last fight, he submitted to a triangle choke from Anthony Pettis.

Headlining WEC 51 will be a featherweight title fight. Jose Aldo will defend his title against TUF veteran Manny Gamburyan.

Zhang Tie Quan vs. Seong Hee Kim Art of War 8

Leave a Reply