The UFC 322 co-main event featured a clash between the top two women’s pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko faced former strawweight titleholder Zhang Weili in a superfight.
Weili vacated her 115-pound championship to move up a division and take on Shevchenko. She entered the championship fight riding a five-fight winning streak and looking to join the exclusive club of fighters who have achieved double-champ status.
Shevchenko, a two-time flyweight champion, entered the fight coming off back-to-back wins. Considered one of the all time greats, Shevchenko holds wins over five former UFC champions.
Shevchenko landed first with a leg kick. Weili bounced on the outside and connected with a right hand counter. Shevchenko delivered a hard kick to the body. Weili had difficulty getting inside early. She closed the distance and Shevchenko met her with a knee to the body that knocked Weili down. Shevchenko gained top position but couldn’t keep Weili grounded. Shevchenko connected with a spinning back fist and Weili immediately clinched. Shevchenko took Weili down and landed in side control.
Weili worked her way to half guard. Shevchenko maintained top position but was unable to inflict any damage from there. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.
Weili pawed with her jab and pressed forward in the second frame. Shevchenko connected with a counter left hand. They clinched and Shevchenko tossed Weili to the ground. She moved from half guard to side control. Shevchenko worked to trap an arm while delivering short elbows. Weili desperately worked to improve her position. She got back to half guard and eventually full guard. Shevchenko moved back to side control and delivered sporadic punches. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.
Shevchenko stood in front of Weili almost daring her to come forward. Weili continued to have issues with Shevchenko’s range. Shevchenko connected with a counter right. Weili delivered a hard kick to the body and Shevchenko clinched. Weili landed an elbow in the separation. Weili closed the distance but was met with a knee to the body.
Weili landed a kick to the body and Shevchenko grabbed her and bullied her to the ground. She delivered right hands from the half guard position. Shevchenko stood over Weili and unloaded punches before dropping back down into half guard. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.
Weili inched forward and delivered a kick to the body. Shevchenko landed a kick to the body that forced Weili to retreat. She again went to the body with a kick. Weili didn’t have an answer to Shevchenko. Shevchenko went to the body with a front kick. Weili closed the distance with a body kick only to be taken down by Shevchenko. Through four rounds, Shevchenko was putting on a dominating performance. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.
Weili’s corner told her to take Shevchenko down in the final frame and look for a submission.
Weili pressed forward and Shevchenko tied her up. They battled for position along the fence. They separated Weili pressed forward with punches but Shevchenko moved just out of the way. They clinched and Shevchenko powered Weili to the ground with three minutes on the clock. Shevchenko maintained top position while peppering Weili with punches and elbows. In the closing seconds, Shevchenko stood and raised her arms. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.
The judges agreed. All three scorecards read 50-45.