China's first and only UFC world champion Zhang Weili and her team have decided not to return to Beijing as planned and remain in Las Vegas for the time being amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Earlier this month, Zhang defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Las Vegas during their UFC 248 in the Women's Strawweight clash. 

Zhang originally planned to return China on Monday but later canceled the trip as Beijing unveiled a new policy mandating that all international arrivals undergo a 14-day quarantine in the wake of the worsening situation overseas. 

"It means my training, food and drug tests cannot be guaranteed," the 30-year-old said in a video. "I dare not to take risks going back. I have been abroad for a month and a half now. I really miss my home and my country; I am desperate to go back."

All UFC athletes are subject to year-round random anti-doping tests. 

The fighter posted a message on Chinese social media platform Weibo saying, "We've decided to stay in Las Vegas because not moving is the safest."

The fast-spreading pandemic has sent global sports into tremendous chaos, and athletes' schedules have also been heavily impacted.