Zhang Weili vacated her strawweight title to chase a second belt at flyweight, facing Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden. The move up in weight didn’t go as planned, given that the Russian completely dominated the Chinese fighter for five rounds as predicted by Eric Nicksick.

Shevchenko controlled every aspect of the fight. Low kicks chopped away at Weili’s legs, counters landed clean when Weili tried to close the distance, and the clinch work was suffocating. Every time it looked like Weili might recover, Valentina dragged her back down or landed another combination.

The takedowns were relentless. The Chinese fighter couldn’t stop them and found herself stuck on her back repeatedly. Shevchenko’s top control didn’t allow any breathing room. Knees in the clinch, grou

See Full Page