Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Zhang Weili to Retain UFC Title

UPDATE: Valentina Shevchenko has successfully defended her 125-pound flyweight championship, dominating Zhang Weili in a decisive victory at UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden on October 14, 2023. This win cements Shevchenko’s status as the No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter globally and ties her with Amanda Nunes for the most title fight wins in UFC history at 11 victories.

The highly anticipated co-main event saw Shevchenko (26-4-1) showcase her grappling prowess, winning every round on the judges’ scorecards. In a fight billed as one of the biggest in women’s MMA history, Shevchenko neutralized Zhang’s offense, effectively controlling the match from start to finish.

“This is the art of martial arts,”

Shevchenko declared post-fight.

“When there is an opponent who is super hard in their weight class against all other opponents, but when they are here, in front of me, they can’t do anything.”

Throughout the fight, Shevchenko maintained a significant striking advantage, landing 137 total strikes compared to Zhang’s 80. She executed five successful takedowns out of six attempts, accumulating an impressive 13:24 of control time. Zhang, who moved up from the strawweight division to challenge Shevchenko, struggled to return to her feet, showcasing the champion’s superior technique and strategy.

“I was prepared for the hardest challenge,” Shevchenko stated. “I knew I couldn’t exchange with Weili; she has super punching power. That’s why I was working very hard and smart to use distance and wrestling.”

As Shevchenko’s reign continues, the immediate future is filled with exciting possibilities. Her next likely challengers include Brazilian Natalia Silva (19-5-1), who recently defeated Alexa Grasso, and Erin Blanchfield, who submitted Tracy Cortez at UFC 322. However, the most intriguing prospect could be a showdown with bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, who is slated to defend her title against Nunes in early 2026. If Harrison prevails, she has expressed interest in facing Shevchenko, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash.

In the aftermath, Zhang has vowed to return stronger but remains undecided on whether she will stay at 125 pounds or return to her former 115-pound weight class.

The MMA community is buzzing with the implications of this fight, as Shevchenko continues to defy expectations and solidify her legacy in the sport. Fans are eager to see what comes next for both fighters in this ever-evolving landscape of women’s mixed martial arts.