W. Zhang remains UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
A real spectacle. The phrase can summarize the encounter between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jędrzejczyk in the co-main event of UFC 248, held this Saturday (7), in Las Vegas (USA). With the strawweight title (up to 52,1kg) at stake, the Chinese and Polish women fulfilled their promise and put on a great show for the audience at the T-Mobile Arena. After five rounds of intense action, Zhang was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.
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Weili stepped into the Octagon with a commitment to maintaining his reign in the division and extending an unbeaten run that lasted 10 appearances. With one defeat on her record, the Chinese, who became champion of the category in August, after beating Jessica Andrade in the main fight of UFC Shenzhen, she needed to stop the momentum of the Polish woman, who was already number one in the division.
From the first round, the athletes dictated the pace of a tense fight. With intense exchanges of blows, the combatants gambled and accepted the fight on their feet and left, after five rounds, with very bruised faces.
The fight
The fight began with Zhang taking the initiative with a left jab and a low kick. The Polish woman responded with two kicks and continued moving in the center of the octagon. Jędrzejczyk connected with a good straight right that exploded in the Chinese woman's face. Weili counterattacked with a jab and a cross. The fight remained tense with both fighters delivering good attacks in the center of the octagon. The fighters smiled at each other showing that they did not throw any blows. Jędrzejczyk once again landed a good direct shot on the champion's head, who responded with a series of punches. In the final minute, the fight remained open, with the possibility of a knockout for the athletes. The round ended with both athletes being applauded by the public.
In the second round, the fighters returned, accepting open exchanges. The Polish attacked the Chinese with a series of punches that were immediately responded to by the champion. The combatants showed a great capacity to absorb the powerful blows they suffered. After almost two minutes, Zhang tried to take the Polish woman, who defended herself. Joanna managed to get away and the duel was fought again in the center of the octagon. Arriving at the two-minute mark, the Chinese connected with a great straight right to the Polish woman's face, who attacked the blow. The champion attacked Joanna, who was walking backwards and trying to recover. Little by little, Jędrzejczyk returned to the confrontation and began to unleash his attacks. In the final seconds, the Polish connected with a high kick to the opponent's header, which she felt, but there was no more time.
The third stage began with Zhang attacking the Polish woman. Joanna walked backwards and continued defending herself. Jędrzejczyk remained dangerous on counterattacks and often touched her opponent's face. Joanna continued to have an advantage in the confrontation, presenting a greater volume of blows. After two minutes, Weili started trying to take the fight to the ground, but the Polish woman defended herself well. Joanna threw a kick, but ended up having her leg held by Zhang, who responded with a direct hit to her rival's head. The audience cheered with each attack released by the fighters.
The duel returned with the combatants attacking each other as in previous attacks. With each blow thrown, the athletes responded in kind. After half the round, the athletes continued to perform at an intense pace. Zhang connected with a good direct shot to the Polish woman's face, who responded with a series of punches. In the final minute, the Polish woman went into a grappling fight and began to put pressure on the Chinese woman on the fence. Zhang reversed the situation, but managed to move away from his opponent.
Before the last round, the Polish woman was uncomfortable with swelling on her head. Jędrzejczyk took the initiative with a straight shot and a shot to Weili's belt. The athletes continued attacking with an intense rhythm and did not stop launching attacks. The champion connected with a good straight shot to the Polish woman's face, who began to walk backwards. Zhang insisted on the attacks, launching low kicks and kicks to her rival's stomach. Realizing the bad moment, Joanna went for a grappling fight, but Weili managed to get away from her opponent. In the final minute, the straws started to fight openly. The fight remained tense in the final seconds with a chance of a knockout for both fighters. The Chinese attacked more efficiently, but the Polish continued to defend itself. The fight ended with a huge exchange of blows between the athletes.
UFC 248 results
MAIN CARD (0 p.m. Brasília time)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Israel adesanya derrotou Yoel romero in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – Fight for the belt
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Weili Zhang derrotou Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the judges' split decision (48-47, 48-47, 48,47) – Fight for the belt
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Beneil Dariush derrotou Drakkar Klose by knockout 1m from R2
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Neil Magny derrotou li jingliang in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Alex Cowboy derrotou Max griffin in the judges' split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (20:30 p.m., Brasília time)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Sean O'Malley defeated José Quiñonez by technical knockout at 2m02s of R1
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Mark madsen derrotou Austin Hubbard in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Rudolph Vieira finished Saparbek Safarov with a katagatame 2m58s from R1
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Gerald meerschaert defeated Deron Winn with an injury choke at 3m13s of R3
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): emily whitmire x Polyana viana fight canceled
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Giga Chikadze derrotou Jamall Emmers in the judges' split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Danaa Batgerel derrotou Guido cannetti by knockout at 3m01s of R1
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