Zhang Weili defended her strawweight title with a sensational display at UFC 312.
Tatiana Suarez entered her first UFC title bout as the favorite after amassing a perfect 10-0 record.
However, she was outlcassed by Zhang Weili over five rounds at the Qudos Arena in Syndey, Australia.
Ultimately, the UFC 312 co-main event ended with the champion retaining her belt by unaminous decision.
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Zhang Weili dominates Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312
It was an uneventful round one in terms of action, with fans even booing at one point. However, Suarez did get an early takedown and established good control before making the mistake of jumping for a guillotine choke and giving up the position.
Suarez landed another takedown early in the second frame, but her opponent reversed and ended up in mount. Zhang postured up and unloaded with nasty ground strikes before threatening with her own choke attempt during an emphatic bounce back round.
The champion continued to show why she’s arguably the best 115lb fighter of all time in round three when she badly rocked Suarez with a savage right hand. The challenger tried her best to wrestle but looked increasingly desperate and had no success.
It was more of the same in round four as Zhang came close with an arm triangle choke attempt and showed why she’s dominated at strawweight for so long.
Zhang cruised to victory in the fifth frame, before the judges confirmed her the winner by decision.
Scorecards of 49–46, 49–46, 49–45 saw the Chinese superstar defend her belt for the third time.
What’s next for Zhang Weili?
It’s getting to point where Zhang may have to move up in weight for a new challange.
Former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas holds two wins over ‘Magnum’. Of course, she’d love to get revenge, but ‘Thug’ has been competing at 125lbs since her shock loss against Carla Esparza in May 2022.
It’s unclear if she will be willing to drop down a division to revisit her rivarly with Zhang in 2025.
If not, the champion may go up to make that fight or jump straight into a title bout with Valentina Shevchenko, who is looking for a new challange after facing Alex Grasso in three consective fights.
Only time will reveal what’s next for Zhang, but it’s clear big things are ahead for the most dominant female champion in MMA.