Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Zhang Weili to Retain UFC Title

Valentina Shevchenko successfully defended her UFC flyweight championship on October 14, 2023, with a decisive victory over Zhang Weili at Madison Square Garden in New York. This win solidified Shevchenko’s status as the top pound-for-pound female fighter globally. The co-main event of UFC 322 showcased Shevchenko’s dominance, marking her 11th title fight victory, a record she now shares with fellow legend Amanda Nunes.

One-Sided Battle

Billed as one of the most significant matchups in women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) history, Shevchenko faced Zhang after the latter vacated her strawweight title to challenge for the flyweight belt. However, the fight proved to be overwhelmingly one-sided, with Shevchenko winning every round unanimously on all three judges’ scorecards.

“This is the art of martial arts,” Shevchenko stated post-fight. “When there is an opponent who is super hard in their weight class against all other opponents, but when they are here, in front of me, they can’t do anything.” Indeed, Shevchenko showcased her superior grappling skills, consistently taking Zhang down and controlling the fight on the ground.

Throughout the bout, Shevchenko managed to neutralize Zhang’s offense effectively. Her strategy involved dictating the distance and timing her takedowns, which proved crucial in maintaining control. Shevchenko’s striking was also impressive, as she landed significant kicks to Zhang’s legs and body.

Statistical Dominance

According to UFC Stats, Shevchenko outstruck Zhang 137 to 80 in total strikes and successfully executed five out of six takedown attempts. With an impressive 13 minutes and 24 seconds of control time, she dominated the fight, nearly achieving a crucifix position multiple times.

“I was prepared for the hardest challenge,” Shevchenko explained. “I knew I couldn’t exchange with Weili; she has super punching power. That’s why I was working very hard and smart to use distance and wrestling.” Her tactical approach paid off, as she effectively neutralized Zhang’s striking power.

The victory opens up intriguing possibilities for Shevchenko’s next title defense. One potential challenger is Natalia Silva, who recently earned a dominant decision victory over Alexa Grasso. Another strong contender is Erin Blanchfield, who submitted Tracy Cortez at UFC 322.

Perhaps most notably, there is interest in a matchup against bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, who is set to defend her title against Nunes in early 2026. If Harrison wins, she has expressed interest in challenging Shevchenko for a clash that could be highly anticipated given their respective careers.

As for Zhang, she remains determined to bounce back from this setback, though she has not clarified whether she will continue in the flyweight division or return to her previous weight class. Her future in the sport will be closely watched following this defeat.