Pros Predict Valentina Shevchenko Vs. Zhang Weili – ‘She's A Beast'

UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko prepares to defend her title against Zhang Weili, as pros gave their predictions.

Shevchenko (25-4-1) is now in the midst of her second reign as flyweight division, a position she regained after beating Alexa Grasso in their trilogy bout at UFC 306 in September 2024. That victory avenged her earlier loss and re-established her dominance at 125 pounds. Since reclaiming the crown, Shevchenko has already secured a successful defense, with a win over Manon Fiorot at UFC 315. Weili is moving up from the strawweight division, where she had been the champion. Zhang enters the fight with significant momentum, having successfully defended her 115-pound title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February. Following that impressive victory, Zhang vacated her strawweight title.

Predictions

"I am leaning towards Valentina just because of the uh, just because moving up in weight class, it never really works out too much. But like again, we’ve seen it, we’ve seen it work time and time again. It’s just uh, I’m hoping that like with her moving up, it’s not just her like trying to gain muscle or trying to like be a certain type like where she’s packing on the pounds and not just using the speed to her advantage. Uh, I think I still think Valentina, since she’s been solidified and kind of like in that area at 125, I think she’s going to come out with the victory," Adrian Yanez

"That’s a good one. Uh, I’d probably have to say like Valentina Shevchenko. Um, she just she she’s just so well-rounded, so clutch. Uh, we’ve seen a few things happen with Weili, but Weili is a, you know, she’s a beast, too. So, that should be a fun one. I probably go Valentina," Steve Garcia

"You know, Valentina obviously comes across as that distance kind of fighter. Tries to, wants to be in that rhythmic kind of form. Very kind of rhythmic in her in her Muay Thai style. But Wei’s very good at being able to navigate distance and being able to use her lower half of her body and and use angles and stuff to get into those box, in those boxing exchanges. You know, I think Wei Li can outbox the kickboxer. And I think if she can do that and get into that into that range consistently, I think Wei wins," Jim West

More Predictions

"Valentina’s been dominant for so long. It’s really impressive to see that longevity at the top. You know, she did her thing at 135. She’s doing that at 125. But I’m a big Weili fan, man. I hope she can get that done. I think Weili is incredible," Jose Delgado

"I think Weili I think Weili is like physically strong enough not to get taken down and be able to really like go with her toe to toe on the feet. And I think she’s going to be faster. And uh, man, like especially like how quick Weili is and she’s got power, she’s got great technique. I feel like she can really like push Valentina back, put the pace on her. And uh, I just think she’s physically strong enough to compete with her in the clinch," Mitch Raposo

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