China's UFC world champion Zhang Weili has dismissed boxing great Mike Tyson's comment that her component Rose Namajunas will "destroy" her, as she sets her eyes on a second title defense in April.

"I think he'd better comment after practicing MMA," Zhang told Chinese media following Tyson's comment. "MMA is a comprehensive sport. It is not only a punching game.

"If I and Rose [Namajunas] were fighting a boxing bout, he could comment on that, but it is an MMA bout."

Zhang will take on Namajunas on April 24, nearly 13 months after her successful title-defending bout against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The location for the bout has yet to be confirmed.

"I think she [Namajunas] is among the top fighters in this division. Since my last title defense, Rose has been on my mind as my ideal opponent… Defeating her will make my title more persuasive," Zhang said. 

The 30-year-old Chinese fighter also noted that she has been doing some special preparations for the fight against Namajunas and the audience should "wait and see" her skills in the April fight.

"She has great footwork and boxing skills," Zhang said. "I have been doing some targeted training especially for the bout against her skill set."

The mounting pressure over being a champion has also beleaguered Zhang, as her anxiety grew after her first title defense against Jedrzejczyk.

"For a period of time, I felt very anxious every day, thinking 'what if I lose the fight?'" Zhang told Chinese reporters. "Now I have learned that I just need to focus on myself and do whatever it takes to prepare for the fight."

Zhang rose to fame after defeating Jessica Andrade in 2019 to win the UFC strawweight division title and has since become an inspiration for many.

"No matter what difficulties you encounter, you must overcome them instead of trying to escape them," Zhang said. "What I learned in my last fight is you can never foresee your full potential. One's potential is unlimited."