Shevchenko v Weili: Building a UFC Super-Fight for the Ages

How Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili are set to deliver a historic showdown at UFC 322

It’s the kind of fight that doesn’t come around often. When Valentina Shevchenko steps into the octagon to face Zhang Weili at UFC 322 in New York, it won’t just be another title bout—it will be a collision between two of the most complete and respected female fighters the sport has ever seen.

For years, fans have debated who truly sits atop the mountain of women’s mixed martial arts. On one side stands Shevchenko, the stoic, surgical striker who has ruled the flyweight division with unmatched precision. On the other, Weili—the powerhouse from China whose relentless aggression and athleticism made her the face of the strawweight division.

Now, for one night, their paths will cross in what UFC president Dana White fittingly called “the definition of a super-fight.”

Shevchenko v Weili: Why this is a true super-fight

What makes Shevchenko vs Weili so special isn’t just the belts, rankings, or statistics. It’s the timing. Both are still operating near their athletic peaks, both have cleaned out their respective divisions, and both carry the aura of champions who’ve been through wars and come out sharper.

“Shevchenko versus Weili” feels like a dream matchup fans have been manifesting for years. It’s a stylistic masterpiece—technique against ferocity, counter-striking precision versus forward pressure and power.

When the UFC confirmed the bout earlier this year, the reaction was instant. Social media exploded. Fighters across divisions voiced their excitement. Shevchenko herself said after her win over Manon Fiorot in May:

“Zhang has the same passion for martial arts as me, the same mindset. It’s not about fame. That’s what I like about her. Fans have been asking for this fight—and they’re right. This is the one.”

The legacy stakes: Two queens, one crown

For Valentina Shevchenko, this fight is about legacy. The 37-year-old from Kyrgyzstan has long been regarded as one of the greatest women’s fighters of all time, but her two narrow losses to Amanda Nunes remain a shadow over an otherwise flawless résumé.

A win over Weili would put her joint-top with Nunes for the most UFC title fight victories by a woman—11. It would also strengthen her case as the sport’s all-time great, especially considering she has dominated the flyweight division since 2018 with cold, clinical efficiency.

Shevchenko’s record at 125 pounds is staggering. Out of the 13 UFC women’s flyweight title bouts ever held, she has appeared in 12, winning 10, drawing one, and losing one. That’s near-total control over an entire weight class for nearly a decade.

For Zhang Weili, however, this fight represents transformation. The 36-year-old former strawweight champion isn’t chasing money or status—she’s chasing challenge. After three successful title defences and two reigns as the division’s best, Weili vacated her belt earlier this year, choosing instead to move up a class to face her toughest test yet.

If she beats Shevchenko, Weili will become just the second woman in UFC history to hold belts in two different divisions—joining Nunes—but the first to do so across strawweight and flyweight. It’s history-making territory.

Comparing greatness: the numbers tell their own story

When you put their records side by side, it’s easy to see why fans are split down the middle.

At strawweight, Zhang Weili has been a wrecking ball. Her blend of explosive striking and improved grappling has made her one of the most well-rounded fighters the division has ever seen. She holds six title-fight wins—level with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the Polish icon she famously defeated twice in two of the greatest women’s fights in UFC history.

Shevchenko, by contrast, operates with the kind of efficiency usually reserved for machines. Her significant strike accuracy at flyweight sits at 54.6%, second-highest in UFC history. Her defensive metrics are even better—she absorbs just 1.86 strikes per minute, the best in her division’s history.

Weili’s figures at strawweight are nearly as impressive: 53.9% strike accuracy, 2.38 striking differential, and a takedown success rate of 45.6%. In other words, both women are elite strikers who can dominate in close quarters or at range.

When it comes to grappling, the margins tighten even further. Shevchenko’s takedown accuracy of 62.8% just edges Weili’s, but the Chinese star has shown a more aggressive ground game in recent fights, using top control and ground-and-pound to finish opponents.

Their takedown defences—77.4% for Shevchenko, 74% for Weili—underline how hard it is to take either of them down. This isn’t just a striking duel—it’s a chess match in every sense.

Weight, power, and adaptation: the X-factors

Perhaps the biggest unknown heading into UFC 322 is how Zhang Weili will adapt to the move up in weight. At strawweight, she was known for her sheer physical dominance—her power, speed, and conditioning often overwhelmed smaller opponents. But at flyweight, she’ll face naturally bigger, stronger women who can absorb more punishment and hit back just as hard.

The question is: will Weili’s power translate at 125 pounds?

Her team insists it will. Training footage from her camp in Beijing shows a visibly stronger, bulkier version of Weili, with her coaches claiming she’s retained her speed while adding more muscle. Still, facing someone as technically refined and composed as Shevchenko is a different challenge altogether.

“Shevchenko doesn’t make mistakes,” former UFC champion Daniel Cormier said on commentary. “You can pressure her, but if you overcommit, she’ll counter you instantly. Weili needs to find that balance—apply pressure without walking into a trap.”

A fight for history

Whatever happens in New York, Shevchenko vs Weili is already being celebrated as one of the biggest moments in women’s MMA history. It’s the kind of matchup that transcends divisions, titles, and rankings—a fight between two athletes defined by discipline, longevity, and respect for the craft.

For Shevchenko, victory would be another jewel in a crown already overflowing with achievements. For Weili, it would be proof that greatness can be reinvented—that even after conquering one division, there’s always another mountain to climb.

And for fans? It’s everything we could ask for—skill, storylines, legacy, and the irresistible feeling that we’re about to witness something that will be talked about for years.

So when the lights dim at Madison Square Garden and the cage door closes, it won’t just be Shevchenko vs Weili. It will be the culmination of two extraordinary journeys—and perhaps the birth of a new era in women’s MMA.