Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Zhang Weili to Retain UFC Title

UPDATE: Valentina Shevchenko has successfully defended her UFC flyweight championship, delivering a commanding performance against Zhang Weili at UFC 322 on Saturday night. The fight, held at Madison Square Garden in New York, saw Shevchenko dominate every round, solidifying her rank as the No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter globally.

In a matchup that sparked immense anticipation, Shevchenko showcased her superior grappling and striking skills, winning on all three judges’ scorecards. With this victory, she ties Amanda Nunes for the most wins in UFC title fight history, each with 11 victories.

“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.”

The fight proved to be one-sided, with Shevchenko outlanding Zhang 137-80 in total strikes and successfully executing 5 of 6 takedown attempts. Zhang, the former strawweight champion, struggled to find her footing throughout the bout, as Shevchenko controlled the pace and dictated distance effectively.

Shevchenko, 37, expressed her determination to avoid exchanges with Zhang, acknowledging her opponent’s punching power. “I knew I couldn’t exchange with Weili; that’s why I was working very hard and smart to use distance and wrestling,” she stated.

The implications of this fight extend beyond the octagon, as the immediate future for Shevchenko is filled with intriguing possibilities. Brazilian fighter Natalia Silva, who recently secured a decision win over Alexa Grasso, emerges as a likely challenger in the flyweight division. Additionally, Erin Blanchfield, who submitted Tracy Cortez at UFC 322, has also made a strong case for a title shot.

However, the most captivating potential matchup could involve defending bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, who is set to face Nunes in early 2026. Should Harrison win, she has expressed interest in challenging Shevchenko, who has previously fought at bantamweight and faced Nunes for the 135-pound title in 2016.

Zhang has vowed to return stronger but has not confirmed whether she will remain in the 125-pound division or move back to 115 pounds.

As the MMA world buzzes with the fallout from UFC 322, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating what’s next for Shevchenko and the challengers lining up for their shot at the title. The excitement surrounding women’s MMA is at an all-time high, and all eyes will be on the potential matchups to unfold in the coming months.