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Women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili entered Saturday’s UFC 312 title bout against undefeated top contender Tatiana Suarez riding a four-fight winning streak. The match was the third title defense of her second champoinsohp reign.
Suarez made her way to the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter reality series, winning season 23 of the show in 2016. She won her next six fights in the octagon, including three wins over former champions, to earn her title shot against Weili.
Suarez took the center of the octagon. Weili bounced on the outside. Weili connected with a right hand but Suarez clinched and took the fight to the ground. Suarez landed in side control but Weili worked her way to half guard. Suarez delivered short punches and Weili returned with elbows from the bottom. Weili worked her way to full guard momentarily but Suarez moved back to half guard and then to side control. Weili rolled and stood. Suarez applied a guillotine choke and pulled guard. Weili popped her head out and gained top position. She delivered punches to the body and head in the closing seconds. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Suarez.
Weili began the second round with a leg kick. She inched forward and delivered another leg kick. Suarez closed the distance. She ate ate a right hand but worked for the takedown. Weili immediately scrambled and gained mount position. Weili delivered left hands. Weili delivered a series of left hands. Suarez stood and Weili briefly looked for a guillotine choke before letting it go. They remained the clinch but separated. Weili connected with a clean combination. Suarez drove forward looking for a takedown. She got to the clinch. Weili defended the attempt and gained top position. Suarez hung on from the bottom for the final minute of the round. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Weili, but more importantly, the momentum completely changed.
Weili bounced on the outside and Suarez landed two leg kicks to start the third. Weili fired off a head kick that was partially blocked. Weili appeared to be much faster than Suarez. Weili connected with a combination. A right hand staggered Suarez. Suarez backed away and immediately looked for a takedown. Weili defended it. Suarez again shot for a takedown and Weili shook it off. Suarez delivered a knee to the body and separated. Suarez telegraphed a takedown and Weili easily defend it. Weili stepped in the picked with a right hand.
Suarez’ output dwindled. Weili continued to land. The champion began sitting down on her punches looking for a finish. Suarez clinched and delivered a knee to the body. Weili pushed her away. The round ended with Suarez looking for a takedown. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Weili.
Suarez’ corner told her that she needs to get the fight to the ground between rounds.
Weili took the center of the cage to start the fourth frame. She connected with a left kick. Weili landed a right hand and tripped Suarez to the canvas. Weili worked in Suarez’ full guard. She peppered her with short punches and elbows. Suarez looked for a guillotine but Weili defended it and moved to side control. It was a dominating round for the champion. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Weili.
Suarez’ corner desperately tried to encourage her heading into the final frame. Weili connected with a hard right hand early in the round. Suarez changed levels but Weili found space and landed a clean right hand. Suarez clinched and desperately worked to get Weili to the canvas. Weili’s takedown defense proved too much. Back standing and at distance, Weili landed a right hand. Suarez clinched and the two scrambled. Weili gained top position midway through the round. Weili took Suarez’ back but Suarez worked her way back to half guard. Weili delivered left hands and elbows. Weili continued to deliver punches to the body and head. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Weili.
All three judges scored the fight for Weili by unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.
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