Although she was overlooked by many oddsmakers and critics entering UFC 312 last weekend, 35-year-old women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili reminded us of her generational talents.
Continuing a trend of total domination ever since she lost consecutive title bouts to Rose Namajunas in 2021, Zhang (26-3) improved to 10-0 against every not named “Thug Rose” with a thorough beatdown of unbeaten Tatiana Suarez (11-1).
Not only did Zhang stuff every single takedown but the first offered by the often-injured Suarez in Round 1, she dominated the striking and left her opponent an exhausted, bloody and swollen mess following such a wide unanimous decision.
Although there remains debate surrounding Zhang’s real age (she claims her passport is incorrect and she’s still 34), there is little debate remaining as to where the first Chinese-born UFC champion stands among the pound-for-pound best in the game today.
At worst, Zhang would be No. 2 behind Valentina Shevchenko. To many, Zhang has already eclipsed the flyweight champion, who regained her title in a trilogy bout against Alexa Grasso last fall.
The best way to decide this P4P debate, of course, would be UFC allowing Zhang to move up to 125…
