This is the UFC 322 live blog for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili, the flyweight championship co-main event bout Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Shevchenko and Zhang sit atop MMA Fighting’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings, at No. 2 and No. 1, respectively.
Currently in her second reign as flyweight champion, Shevchenko (25-4-1) goes for her ninth title defense, after recently beating Manon Fiorot in a championship bout and previously defending the belt seven consecutive times in her first reign. “Bullet” has lost just three times since making her UFC debut in 2015, a pair of decision losses to fellow all-time great Amanda Nunes, and a shocking upset at the hands of Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko later avenged the loss to Grasso, winning a lopsided decision in a trilogy bout at UFC 306.
Zhang (26-3) has been equally indomitable in her UFC career, losing only to Rose Namajunas. Outside of “Thug Rose,” Zhang has run through much of her competition at strawweight, including the previously undefeated Tatiana Suarez, who was soundly defeated by Zhang at UFC 312. That marked the third title defense of Zhang’s second reign as 115-pound champion, giving her four in total.
The strawweight title was left vacant (and later won by Mackenzie Dern) by Zhang as she looks to join an illustrious list of legends who have become UFC champion in two divisions.
Check out the UFC 322 live blog for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili below.
Guys, it’s two of the five best women’s fighters ever about to throw down. What else needs to be said?
Respect for the champ Shevchenko at -142, but Zhang barely an underdog at +120.
Referee Marc Goddard oversees this megafight.
First blood for Zhang as she lands a good right. Shevchenko staying very still before unleashing a body kick. Lunging left from Shevchenko. Exchange of punches, Zhang rushes in to grapple, Shevchenko hits a knee to the body and gets a takedown. Zhang has her arms locked on Shevchenko from the bottom, not letting her posture up. Shevchenko methodically working to pass. Zhang up, but Shevchenko gets her with another knee to the body.
Spinning elbow from Shevchenko, perfectly timed as Zhang was moving in to clinch. Two big shots scored by Shevchenko in this opening round. They’re wrestling along the fence. Shevchenko just muscles Zhang down and she’s on top in side control. Shevchenko with some short ground-and-pound and she rides out the round in control.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Shevchenko.
Shevchenko with a leg kick as Zhang marches forward again. Zhang just misses with a spinning backfist. Slick 1-2 from Shevchenko. They clash, Shevchenko sneaks in another knee to the body before wrestling Zhang down. Shevchenko advances to side control and Zhang is stuck to the mat. Shevchenko working to secure crucifix position. She briefly has it and Zhang fights out of it. A lot of energy being expended by the smaller fighter.
This is masterful top control from Shevchenko. It’s not as if Zhang isn’t working from bottom either, Shevchenko is just giving her nothing to work with. Zhang works to get Shevchenko into full guard, but Shevchenko passes again. Shoulder thrusts from top position can’t feel good for Zhang. Two dominant rounds for Shevchenko.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Shevchenko. Overall, 20-18 Shevchenko.
Let’s see what Zhang has in her bag of tricks here. Shevchenko cracks her with a body kick. She is content to stay at distance and force Zhang to make a move. Zhang’s right hand falls well short. She steps into range and immediately eats a Shevchenko right. Spin kick to the body by Shevchenko, she is cruising. Zhang hits a body kick, but gets in too close and they’re grappling again. Shevchenko throwing up a high knee to bother Zhang. Zhang lands an elbow as they separate.
Shevchenko again with the knee to the body of an incoming Zhang. Shevchenko catches a kick and secures a body lock and down Zhang goes again. Ninety seconds left in this round, Shevchenko could ride it out again. Not a lot of room for Zhang to move as she’s pressed to the fence. Shevchenko just sitting in Zhang’s half guard as she puts another round in the books.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Shevchenko. Overall, 30-27 Shevchenko.
