Namajunas has a tough fight, but beats Zhang on points and keeps the strawweight belt at UFC 268

R. Namajunas maintains the strawweight belt in UFC 268. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

In the second main fight of UFC 268, event held this Saturday (6), Rose namajunas took to the octagon to try to defend the UFC strawweight division title (up to 52,1kg) precisely in a rematch against Weili Zhang. With the support of the fans present at Madison Square Garden, in New York (USA), the North American had a tough fight, but defeated the Chinese in a split decision from the judges and continued with the belt.

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Considered by many to be one of the biggest names in Ultimate today, Namajunas reaffirms her position as the best athlete under 52,1kg, and achieved her 11 career victory. She also has four other losses.

Zhang, in turn, suffers only his third setback in his career in mixed martial arts. Meanwhile, the Chinese also has another 21 triumphs.

The fight

The two athletes didn't even greet each other and Zhang made the first attempt with a low kick. More centered and bigger, Namajunas looked cooler and studied her opponent before delivering any blow from distance. Rose even managed to enter the range of action with a direct shot that bothered the Chinese woman. In the middle of the round, Weili surprised and, to prove that his training with Henry Cejudo had an effect, he managed to fall. On top, she put pressure on the American with Lithuanian descent, but was unable to maintain the game until the end of the round. In the final stretch, Rose even managed to unbalance her opponent with a front kick.

Just like in the first round, Rose and Weili returned with a strong rhythm and open exchange of blows, with a slight advantage to the North American. Zhang was more aggressive in boxing, but had her guard leaked quite frequently by Namajunas. Willing to regain her title, the Chinese cut short and applied a right bomb to her opponent's face, which she felt. At the ground and pound, she also dropped other bombs in the final stretch of the assault. However, Rose surprised by staying on her feet and also had time to get a takedown.

In the coldest round of the fight, the fighters barely touched each other. Even so, Rose namajunas had an advantage in the approach boxing and ended up unbalancing Weili Zhang in one of the moments in combat. The Chinese, however, managed to land another takedown in the final seconds and landed in mount, although she was unable to take advantage of the situation.

Determined to take advantage, Weili Zhang invested in Wrestling's grip and moved to the back of Rose namajunas to look for strangulation. However, the North American got out of position and landed on top in half guard, working most of her actions.

In the last and decisive round, the champion surprised and scored a takedown. Also showing good quality in her ground game, 'Thug' managed to score with hard ground and pound punches, while the Chinese still tried to give her 'last boost' with pedal kicks and triangle attempts. Rose namajunas, however, continued with the same intensity and ended the fight on top.

UFC 268 results

MAIN CARD

Welterweight Weight: Kamaru Usman derrotou Colby covington in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – Fight for the belt

Straw weight: Rose namajunas derrotou Weili Zhang in the judges' split decision (47-48, 48-47 and 49-46) – Fight for the belt

Bantamweight: Marlon Vera derrotou Frankie Edgar by knockout at 3m50s of R3

Feather weight: Shane burgos defeated Billy Quarantino via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight: Justin gaethje derrotou Michael chandler in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Average weight: Alex Poatán derrotou Andreas Michailidis by technical knockout (knee) 18 seconds into R2

Lightweight: Bobby Green derrotou To the fifth by technical knockout at 2m25s of R1

Average weight: Chris Curtis derrotou phil hawes by technical knockout at 4:27 of R1

Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavovo defeated Edmen shahbazyan by technical knockout at 4m42s of R2

Welterweight Weight: Ian Gary derrotou jordan williams by knockout at 4m59s of R1

Heavyweight: Chris Barnett derrotou Gian Villante by technical knockout at 2m23s of R2

Light Heavyweight: dustin jacoby derrotou John allan in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Feather weight: Melsik Baghdasaryan derrotou Bruno Souza in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Fly weight: Ode Osbourne derrotou CJ Vergara in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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