Wang Cong’s Joker Persona Sets UFC Riddle for Opponents

Sat Oct 03 2026 11:43:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Chinese prospect Wang Cong takes to the UFC in a green‑hair, white‑face Joker look, aiming to frighten opponents and challenge the flyweight title.

Chinese fighter Wang Cong is turning the infamous comic‑book villain into a real‑life persona by dyeing her hair green, painting her face white and drawing a bright red grin before each bout. She says the look lets her feel the fear in her opponents and that it boosts her performance, even calling it her true personality. The fighter will face Brazil’s Natalia Silva for the vacant UFC flyweight title at UFC 332, bringing a four‑fight win streak and a dramatic visual style to the main event. In doing so, Cong hopes to raise the profile of women’s MMA in China and become the second Chinese UFC champion after Zhang Weili.

Wang Cong’s Joker Persona Sets UFC Riddle for Opponents

The 34‑year‑old Chinese prospect has turned a comic‑book villain into a striking brand identity. Before each bout she dyes her hair green, paints her face white and draws a vibrant red grin. Wang says the look stems from the playing card that inspired the Joker, not the Batman villain.

She claims that when the paint is on her face she can sense the fear in her opponents and that it fuels her performance. “It makes me feel crazy. It lifts me to a higher level of performance,” she told BBC Sport.

Today, she faces Brazilian Natalia Silva for the vacant UFC flyweight world title at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City. Silva, who sits atop the UFC flyweight rankings, holds a 14‑fight win streak and is favoured after Valentina Shevchenko was forced to vacate the belt last month.

Cong’s unpredictability has already rattled rivals; she has bewildered opponents with face‑paint weigh‑ins and even sent a fake pair of eyelashes to an upcoming foe. Her social media handle, which uses the Joker nickname, adds to the psychological game she plays on the road to the fight.

The event marks only the second women’s main event at a UFC numbered card since Amanda Nunes’ win in 2023, illustrating the slow but growing visibility of women’s MMA. Cong spoke of the significance of the opportunity, adding that a victory could spark more Chinese athletes to pursue mixed‑martial arts.

If she clinches the title, Cong will become the second Chinese UFC champion after Zhang Weili, while also continuing to shape her own brand and challenge opposition with her unique persona.

The fight has attracted criticism from fans who preferred to see mainstream men such as Jiri Prochazka or Ciryl Gane headline. When asked about the debate, Cong replied simply that she had nothing to say for now, believing the result will settle the conversation.

For more on Wang Cong’s journey and U.S. fights, follow BBC Sport MMA.