Shevchenko Retains Flyweight Title vs. Weili at UFC 322

Valentina Shevchenko defended her UFC women's flyweight championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over former strawweight titleholder Zhang Weili in the co-main event of UFC 322 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Shevchenko, 37, controlled the five-round bout from start to finish, scoring multiple takedowns and maintaining top position on the ground while landing precise strikes on the feet. Judges scored the fight 50-45 across the board, extending Shevchenko's winning streak to three and marking her ninth consecutive flyweight title defense. Weili, who vacated her 115-pound belt to challenge for the 125-pound crown, struggled to find her rhythm, absorbing knees to the body and counters that neutralized her aggressive style. The performance showcased Shevchenko's technical precision, as she stifled Weili's power and pressure without sustaining significant damage.

The win tied Shevchenko with Amanda Nunes for the most title fight victories in women's UFC history, at 11. It followed her recent triumphs over Manon Fiorot and Alexa Grasso, the latter of whom had briefly dethroned her in 2023 before Shevchenko reclaimed the belt earlier this year....