Valentina celebrates her UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
In the clash of legends, Valentina Shevchenko He showed who's boss in the flyweight division (up to 57 kg) and in women's MMA. In the co-main event of UFC 322, event held this Saturday (15), in New York (USA), the Kyrgyzstani, queen of the category, welcomed zhang weiliFormer dominant strawweight champion (up to 52,2 kg), and thwarted her plans to win a second title in a different division. Based on experience, physique and technique, 'Bullet' gave the Chinese fighter a true mixed martial arts masterclass and won by unanimous decision.
With this important victory, Valentina, who is in her second reign in the flyweight division, defended her belt for the second time. In total, this was the champion's ninth title defense. And she didn't stop there.
In addition to defending her division title against Zhang, the Kyrgyzstani fighter also did the same regarding the top spot in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. At the top of the select list, Valentina prevented the Chinese fighter, who is right below her, from taking the throne of women's MMA. Therefore, the legend of the sport justified her status as the best fighter of the present day.
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MMA class
At the start of the fight, Zhang posed a threat by landing a punch to Valentina's face. In response, Valentina delivered a powerful kick to Zhang's midsection. Attempting to clinch with Valentina, Zhang was unsuccessful. Valentina landed a knee strike to her opponent's midsection, causing her to fall. On the ground, Valentina was unable to control Zhang.
Precise and technical, Valentina capitalized on another advance by Zhang and landed a spinning elbow to her face. Following this, Valentina easily took Zhang down and controlled her on the ground, landing punches to score points in the fight. In the second round, Valentina remained focused and quickly took Zhang down again, punishing her on the ground and gaining an advantage in the duel.
In the third round, Valentina remained dominant, landing high kicks and kicks to Zhang's midsection. Quickly, Zhang tried to even the score with punches and elbows. In response, Valentina landed another knee to Zhang's midsection, who apparently felt the impact. After Zhang threw a high kick, Valentina grabbed her leg, took her down, and controlled her without any problem.
In the fourth round, Valentina continued to hurt Zhang with her arsenal of kicks and knees to the midsection. At a disadvantage, Zhang didn't give up, but she received more blows than she landed on Valentina. Strategically, Valentina grabbed Zhang's leg and took her down again, controlling the action.
In the fifth and final round, Zhang went on the attack, but Valentina stopped her advance by grabbing her. Clearly desperate to be behind on points, Zhang showed aggression, but Valentina took advantage of her carelessness and took her down. On the ground, Valentina did what she does best, that is, she displayed technique and control, dominating Zhang, as well as her other opponents.
Ecuadorian show
Morales celebrates victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
In one of the most important fights of UFC 322, MichaelMorales took no notice of Sean bradyThe Ecuadorian, undefeated in MMA, needed only one round to knock out the American, who dreamed of a title fight in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg).
Sharp in striking, Morales rocked his opponent with the power of his punches right from the start of the fight. Seeing Brady uncomfortable in the stand-up fight, the Ecuadorian didn't lose focus, continued the attack and knocked him out shortly after. With this great victory, the athlete, ranked eighth in the category, should take the second position from the American.
UFC 322 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Islam makhachev derrotou Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Valentina Shevchenko derrotou zhang weili by unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): MichaelMorales derrotou Sean brady by technical knockout (punches) at 3:27 of R1
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Carlos Prates derrotou Leon edwards by knockout (punches) at 1:28 of R2
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Benoit Saint-Denis derrotou Beneil Dariush by knockout (punches) at 16 seconds of round 1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): BoNickal derrotou Rudolph Vieira by knockout (head kick) at 2min24sec of R3
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Gregory Robocop defeated by Roman Kopylov unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Erin Blanchfield derrotou Tracy Cortez by submission (rear naked choke) at 4min44sec of R2
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): Ethyn Ewing derrotou Malcolm Wellmaker by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Kyle Daukaus derrotou Gerald meerschaert by submission (D'Arce choke) at 50 seconds of round 1
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg): pat sabatini derrotou Chepe Mariscal by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Straw weight (up to 52,2 kg): Fatima Kline derrotou Angela Hill by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Baisangur Susurkaev derrotou Eric McConico by knockout (punch) at 1min38sec of R3
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Matheus Camilo derrotou Viacheslav Borshchev by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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