Weili Zhang e Tatiana Suarez placeholder image faced each other in UFC 312. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC Europe
Weili Zhang proves herself relentless day after day. The Chinese, who was emerging as an underdog against the challenger Tatiana Suarez placeholder image No. UFC 312 last Saturday (8), frustrated the American's game. With gas, pressure and takedown defense on point, she defended the strawweight belt (up to 52,1 kg) with a unanimous decision victory by the judges. The fight was the second most important of the event held in Sydney, Australia.
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Zhang is now defending her belt for the third time and has a record of 26 wins and three losses. She was grateful for the opportunity, dismissed being upset about her 'underdog' status and celebrated with the fans in Australia.
Tatiana, on the other hand, feels the bitter taste of the first defeat in her career. The American had achieved ten victories in ten fights.
Weili Zhang dominates Tatiana Suarez and wins at UFC 312
Suarez took advantage of a mistake by Zhang to take the fight down in the first minute. The American saw the Chinese approaching, grabbed her with a hand-to-hand grip and took her down. On top, she got to half-guard and landed blows to score points. The champion tried to escape, but was caught in a guillotine choke, but she managed to turn the situation around with intelligence and patience. She escaped the position and ended the round on top.
The challenger didn't want to make a move. Tatiana lunged at her legs to put her on the fence and try to impose another takedown, but Weili defended herself and landed in the mount. Although she didn't progress in the position, the Chinese defended herself well and saw the American stick to the fence once again. They came back to their feet. The champion landed a right hand and her rival felt it.
The start of the third round was excellent for Zhang, who landed a straight punch and made Tatiana dance in the octagon. With exquisite cruelty, the Chinese fighter repelled the American's approach and delivered other powerful moves — in addition to also neutralizing the challenger's takedown variations.
In the fourth round, the champion surprised her and took her challenger to the ground. She was the first fighter to do so. She stayed on top, worked her moves well and almost finished her with a katagatame. Tatiana also had a cut on her right knee, which underwent injuries and surgeries.
The bleeding was already getting in the way. Suarez tried to use takedowns, but it was Zhang who managed to do it. And, with mastery, the current champion held on to keep her UFC belt. This is her third title defense.
UFC 312 results
MAIN CARD (00pm Brasília time)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Dricus du Plessis derrotou Sean Strickland in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – fight for the belt
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Weili Zhang derrotou Tatiana Suarez placeholder image in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) – fight for the belt
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Tallison Teixeira derrotou justin tafa by technical knockout (punches) at 35 seconds of R1
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Jimmy crute e Rodolfo Bellato tied in the judges' majority decision (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jake matthews derrotou Francis Meadow in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD (20:30 p.m. Brasília time)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Gabriel Mosquitinho finished Jack Jenkins with a rear naked choke at 2:06. from R3
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Tom nolan derrotou Viacheslav Borshchev in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Cong Wang derrotou Bruna Brazil in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Alexander Topuria defeated Colby Thicknesse by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Zhu Rong derrotou Kody Steele by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jonathan Micallef derrotou Kevin Jousset by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Quillan Salkilld derrotou Anshul Jubli by knockout (punch) at 19sec of R1
Read More about: Tatiana Suarez placeholder image, UFC, UFC 312, Weili Zhang
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