On Saturday, UFC fans will witness a highly anticipated co-main event at UFC 322 featuring two of the most elite female fighters in mixed martial arts: Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili. This matchup between the two-time flyweight champion Shevchenko and former two-time strawweight queen Zhang is being hailed as one of the most technically impressive and evenly matched fights in women’s MMA history. However, it is important to put this fight into context and clarify what it is—and what it is not—in the grand landscape of women’s MMA.
Firstly, this bout is not the most historically significant fight in women’s MMA. That honor belongs to the 2018 featherweight title clash between Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg at UFC 232, which was monumental for showcasing the two most accomplished female fighters and cementing Nunes as the greatest of all time. Additionally, from a pioneering perspective, the 2009 Strikeforce main event featuring Cyborg and Gina Carano marked the first time two women headlined a major MMA event, setting the stage for future female competition in the sport.
Moreover, the Shevchenko-Zhang fight does not carry the same level of box office appeal or cultural impact as some of Ronda Rousey’s landmark bouts. Rousey’s first UFC women’s title fight against Liz Carmouche in 2013 helped introduce women’s MMA to a broader audience. Her 2015 upset loss to Holly Holm in Melbourne drew over 56,000 fans live and generated massive pay-per-view numbers, as did her 2016 defeat to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. These fights were pivotal moments that brought unprecedented attention to female fighters.
Despite not holding those particular distinctions, the significance of Shevchenko versus Zhang lies in its unique qualities. Both fighters are regarded as first-ballot Hall of Famers and among the very best female fighters ever to grace the Octagon. Collectively, they boast four UFC title reigns and 12 title defenses, and many experts consider them two of the top five female pound-for-pound fighters in MMA history. The matchup is a true battle between the current No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound women in the sport, representing the pinnacle of skill, technique, and martial arts mastery.
Shevchenko, 37, is a striking phenom with a decorated background in Muay Thai, holding 17 titles before transitioning fully to MMA. She has an MMA record of 25 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw and has dominated the flyweight division with eight title defenses, a UFC record. Her career includes key wins over former bantamweight champions Holly Holm and Julianna Pena, and she has been a top contender at 135 pounds as well. After dropping to flyweight, she has amassed nine consecutive wins and reclaimed her title in a trilogy against Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko’s mindset, shaped by her longtime coach Pavel Fedotov, centers on relentless improvement and striving to be the best in the world.
Zhang Weili, 36, hails from China and made history as the first Chinese-born UFC champion. With a professional record of 26 wins and 3 losses, Zhang has been dominant in the strawweight division, accumulating four title defenses across two reigns. Her victories over notable former champions such as Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice), and Carla Esparza have led many to regard her as the greatest 115-pound female fighter in UFC history. Despite suffering two title losses to Rose Namajunas in 2021, Zhang has remained undefeated against all other opponents since turning pro in the UFC seven years ago.
Zhang’s journey reflects a constant evolution and desire to push beyond limits. After her initial loss to Namajunas, she enlisted the help of Henry Cejudo—a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist—to improve her wrestling. To prepare for Shevchenko, she also trained in Thailand under former UFC lightweight contender Brad Riddell, focusing on refining her grappling and overall game. Zhang views moving up to flyweight not just as a new challenge but as a way to break through personal barriers and achieve greatness.
Their respective coaches highlight the technical and strategic depth of this matchup. Pavel Fedotov notes that Shevchenko’s decades of experience and technical mastery give her an edge, especially against Zhang, who has improved her