UPDATE: Valentina Shevchenko has just defended her UFC flyweight title with a stunning victory over Zhang Weili at UFC 322, held at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday. Shevchenko, ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter globally, won every round on all three judges’ scorecards in an impressive display of skill and strategy.
The fight, which was anticipated as one of the biggest matchups in women’s MMA history, ended with Shevchenko outstriking Zhang 137 to 80 in total strikes. Shevchenko executed five successful takedowns out of six attempts, showcasing her grappling dominance throughout the match. This victory also ties her with Amanda Nunes for the most wins in UFC title fight history, with 11 wins.
“This is the art of martial arts,”
Shevchenko stated 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.”
Shevchenko, 37, demonstrated her tactical prowess by controlling the fight’s pace and neutralizing Zhang’s powerful striking. She emphasized the need for a strategic approach, stating,
“I was prepared for the hardest challenge. 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.”
The fight was decidedly one-sided, with Shevchenko accumulating an impressive 13:24 of control time. Her ability to dictate distance and timing was evident as she repeatedly took Zhang down and maintained control on the ground.
Looking forward, the immediate future holds exciting prospects for Shevchenko. Potential challengers include Brazilian Natalia Silva, who recently defeated Alexa Grasso, and Erin Blanchfield, who submitted Tracy Cortez at UFC 322. Most notably, the bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison is set to defend her title against Nunes in early 2026. If Harrison wins, she has expressed interest in facing Shevchenko, adding another layer of intrigue to the championship landscape.
Meanwhile, Zhang Weili has vowed to return stronger but has not confirmed whether she will continue competing at 125 pounds or drop back down to 115 pounds. As the dust settles from this electrifying event, fans and analysts alike are eager to see what unfolds next in the ever-evolving world of UFC.
Stay tuned for more updates as the UFC landscape continues to shift following this monumental fight.