Valentina Shevchenko delivered a completely dominant efficiency in opposition to former two-time strawweight queen Zhang Weili within the UFC 322 co-main occasion.
Early within the spherical, Zhang moved in, trying to press Shevchenko in opposition to the fence. ‘Bullet’ used it as a chance to blast her opponent with a brutal knee to the physique that seemingly knocked Zhang down. Shevchenko took the possibility to take prime management. Zhang in the end fought her means again up, solely to be met by a nasty spinning again elbow assault from the defending champion.
Zhang appeared to get wobbled by the elbow, however she was shut sufficient to clinch up, giving her time to get better. Once more, Shevchenko took benefit of the scenario, scoring one other takedown and falling instantly into aspect management.
Shevchenko picked up proper the place she left off within the first, touchdown one other takedown and taking aspect management. As soon as on the mat once more, it grew to become more and more clear that the staggering dimension distinction between Shevchenko and Zhang was an enormous downside for the latter.
It was extra of the identical from Shevchenko within the third and fourth rounds, with ‘Bullet’ punishing Zhang’s physique with quite a lot of blows and notching two extra takedowns.
In determined want of a end, Zhang got here out trying to put her foot on the gasoline, however Shevchenko shortly shut her down, touchdown one more takedown and grinding out the rest of the battle.
That may take us to the scorecards for what could be a predictably decisive resolution.
Official End result: Valentina Shevchenko def. Zhang Weili through unanimous resolution (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the UFC flyweight world championship.
Examine Out Highlights From Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili at UFC 322:
