Zhang co-stars as a fisherwoman with mutism in After Typhoon, a feminist indie film exploring themes of sexual assault and friendship by award-winning director Li Yu.

On the surface it's an unexpected twist for the first Chinese mixed martial arts fighter to win a UFC title and the current strawweight champion, who first claimed her crown by knocking out her opponent in 42 seconds.

"It's not really a career transition, I see it more as an experiment," the 35-year-old told AFP in Shanghai.

"I believe everything is connected in some way and there's actually a lot in common between fighting and acting... I find it really interesting -- a fresh experience."

Zhang told the Hollywood Reporter that she was initially against the idea of being in a film, but was compelled by the character of A Xi.

Because she cannot speak, "I had to express emotions through eye contact and body language", Zhang told AFP.

This is where her fighting experience came in useful because it has helped her "develop a richer physical language", she said.

Li, the director, has said Zhang's performance, especially as a first-time actress, was "truly astonishing".

"Her authenticity was bone-deep. It wasn't performance -- she was living as that person," she told a post-screening session at an offshoot of the Beijing International Film Festival.

The movie was initially scheduled for wider release in April but has been postponed.

Zhang suggested it might be released over the summer.

The MMA star, who received the script at the same time she was preparing for a title defence, has taken some lessons from her time on set back to the octagon.

"When the director would call 'cut' and say we had to do another take, and then another, that taught me patience," she laughed.

Previously, when told by the coach to do another set of exercises in training, "I'd be really frustrated".

"But now, after five rounds, if the coach says, 'extra elbow and knee practices', I just say, 'Okay, sure!'"