- Valentina Shevchenko defends her UFC women’s flyweight title against Zhang Weili on Nov. 15.
- Shevchenko is the -125 betting favorite.
- Weili is the +105 betting underdog.
Reigning undisputed UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko puts her title on the line against Zhang Weili in the co-main event of UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Due to her dominance in the weight class, Shevchenko is going to be the betting favorite with -125 UFC odds heading into the championship bout. On the other hand, Weili, who despite being a champion herself, will be the +105 betting underdog.
UFC 322: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili Odds
- Valentina Shevchenko: -125
- Zhang Weili: +105
UFC 322: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili: Prediction
I predict a unanimous decision victory for Weili against Shevchenko because of her speed advantage, as she can frustrate the defending champion with an inside-out approach and inflict damage with her striking combinations.
Skill for skill, this superfight between two UFC champions is close on paper since both are very well-rounded fighters. They can fight on the feet and thrive on the mat, and both are known as elite strikers with a solid Muay Thai base.
Weili’s speed will be the biggest factor in this match because, at this point in Shevchenko’s pro career, she has shown signs of slowing down. At 37, she doesn’t have the same explosiveness and athleticism.
Meanwhile, the former UFC women’s strawweight champion was accustomed to fighting faster opponents in the 115-pound weight class. If she brings the same pace and volume, along with the strength she gained with the extra pounds, she’ll be able to beat Shevchenko on points.
Valentina Shevchenko’s Recent Fight Results
Shevchenko started her UFC career as a bantamweight and made her octagon debut in December 2015 with a split decision win over Sarah Kaufman. She then split her next four fights with wins over Holly Holm and Julianna Pena and two losses to Amanda Nunes.
Following that stretch, she decided to move down in the flyweight division and became a dominant champion. Shevchenko captured the division’s title and won 11 of his next 13 matches. The only blemish in her record was a loss and a draw with Alexa Grasso.
Zhang Weili’s Recent Fight Results
Weili was the Kunlun Fight champion before the UFC signed her in August 2018. She unanimously beat Danielle Taylor in her promotional debut. The Chinese MMA superstar added two more wins before she earned a shot at UFC gold in August 2019 against Jessica Andrade.
She maximized the title opportunity and defeated Andrade via first-round knockout. Weili successfully defended her belt against Joanna Jędrzejczyk before Rose Namajunas ended her reign in April 2021.
Following that back-to-back losses to Namajunas, Weili went on a five-fight win streak and recaptured the women’s strawweight title, with victories against Jędrzejczyk, Carla Esparza, Amanda Lemos, Yan Xionan, and Tatiana Suarez.
UFC 322: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili: Tale of the Tape
| Valentina Shevchenko | Zhang Weili | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 37 | 36 |
| Height | 5’5” | 5’4” |
| Reach | 67 inches | 63 inches |
| Leg Reach | 38 inches | 36 inches |
| Record | 25-4-1 | 26-3 |
| Fighting Style | Muay Thai | Muay Thai |
| Finishing Rate | 60% | 73% |
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