Zhang Weili Retains Title, Sets Sights On Valentina Shevchenko!

Zhang Weili retained her UFC Strawweight Title with a comprehensive win against Tatiana Suarez, as she eyes a bout with Valentina Shevchenko.

Zhang was the superior fighter, winning a unanimous decision on the cards: 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45. It was the third time she successfully defended her belt and the fourth overall in her second stint as champion. Saurez experienced her first loss, losing her undefeated record. Her lack of activity and injury history may have had a bearing on the fight. But in truth, Zhang’s skills were far superior. 

“I had a full camp for this fight. I’m well prepared for this fight. I respect Tatiana. Tatiana is very strong. I respect Tatiana, thank you. I’m the underdog, it’s OK. I just focus on myself,” Zhang said 

Zhang has spoken about her desire to potentially face Valentina Shevchenko. The latter is the UFC Flyweight Champion. She won her belt back after beating Alexa Grasso in their trilogy at UFC 306 at The Sphere. It removed any doubt over who was the better fighter after their controversial fight at UFC Noche in 2023. Grasso and Valentina secured a split draw, with many feeling Shevchenko was robbed. Valentina must decide where she goes next. She has been linked with a move up in weight. Zhang is keen on that fight if it can be made, while Dana White has not ruled it out. 

Zhang Vs. Shevchenko

“Let’s talk with Dana later, but I think everything is about timing. So if there is a good time for both of us to make this fight happen, it happens. I think the biggest opponent to me is myself, so [even] if I stay in strawweight, if I fight different styles of opponent, I can still learn a lot from that. Eventually, to improve myself, that’s my ultimate goal. [And] I see all my opponents as my teachers. I will learn from them and just make myself better and better,” Zhang said 

“I hate answering these questions (regarding who is the female pound-for-pound number one) because I love them both. Maybe we’ll just have to find out. It’s a possibility. Whatever she asks me back there in the hallway, I’ll probably say yes,” White stated 

Full Results

Dricus du Plessis (c) def Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Zhang Weili (c) def. Tatiana Suarez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa via first-round knockout (elbow, punches)

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute ends in majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-27)

Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins via third-round submission (rear naked choke)

Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Wang Cong def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rongzhu def. Kody Steele via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli via first-round knockout (punch)

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