A fight featuring the two best pound-for-pound female athletes in the UFC ended in a one-sided whopping, as Valentina Shevchenko wiped the floor with Weili Zhang to retain the women's flyweight title in the UFC 322 co-main event.
After some early trading and feeling out, Shevchenko scored first blood by dropping Zhang with a knee to the body. Zhang stopped the efforts of Shevchenko to get in full mount and worked her way to the feet; however, Shevchenko seemed to rock her again with a backfist.
Shevchenko got Zhang back to the ground and ended up dominating in side control and the crucifix for nearly the entire second round. Zhang had her moments in a third round that was quieter, but Shevchenko scored another takedown with 90 seconds left in the frame.
Shevchenko did more damage to Zhang in the fourth round, focusing on the body. Even when Zhang landed a kick to the body, Shevchenko grabbed her leg and scored yet another takedown.
Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Weili Zhang At UFC 322
Shevchenko lost and won back the UFC women's flyweight title in her trilogy bout with Alexa Grasso. She then successfully retained against Manon Fiorot earlier this year at UFC 315.
Zhang won back the UFC women's strawweight title by defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281. She retained against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez before vacating the title to challenge Shevchenko.