UFC 322: Shevchenko vs. Zhang takes place on November 15, 2025 in a high-stakes champion versus champion superfight for the women’s flyweight title. Valentina Shevchenko, the decorated two-time flyweight queen and one of the greatest fighters of her era, meets Zhang Weili, the former two-time strawweight champion and one of Asia’s most iconic MMA stars who now seeks two-division greatness.
Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko (25–4–1) enters this matchup as the most accomplished flyweight in UFC history. She reclaimed the title from Alexa Grasso in September 2024, defended it against Manon Fiorot in May 2025, and once again established herself as the gold standard at 125 pounds. Her résumé features elite names such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade, Holly Holm and Taila Santos.
Shevchenko’s strengths revolve around expert distance management, precise counter striking and a diverse skill set built through Muay Thai, judo and taekwondo. She controls tempo better than almost anyone in the division and is capable of winning fights through accumulation, opportunistic takedowns or steady positional dominance. With years of championship experience, she rarely makes tactical mistakes and is comfortable over five rounds.
Valentina Shevchenko – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Manon Fiorot, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 315, May 10, 2025
Win vs. Alexa Grasso, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 306, September 14, 2024
Draw vs. Alexa Grasso, Draw (Split), UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2, September 16, 2023
Loss vs. Alexa Grasso, Submission (Face Crank), UFC 285, March 4, 2023
Win vs. Taila Santos, Decision (Split), UFC 275, June 12, 2022
Shevchenko’s keys are to control range, intercept Zhang’s forward bursts with precise counters, and mix in takedowns or clinch control to break Zhang’s rhythm. If she forces Zhang to reach or overcommit, she can create scoring opportunities all night.
Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili (26–3) is China’s premier MMA superstar and one of the most dominant strawweights ever. She became a two-time champion at 115 pounds and defended her belt against elite competition such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Rose Namajunas, Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan and Tatiana Suarez. After vacating her strawweight title in October 2025, she now moves to flyweight in search of historic two-division success.
Zhang’s strengths are explosive Sanda-style striking, high output, forward pressure and a constantly improving grappling game. She has displayed knockout power in fights with Jessica Andrade and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, along with technical control in wins over Amanda Lemos and Yan Xiaonan. Her pace is among the best in women’s MMA, and her ability to maintain pressure while mixing low kicks, combinations and takedowns makes her extremely dangerous at any weight.
Zhang Weili – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Tatiana Suarez, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 312, February 9, 2025
Win vs. Yan Xiaonan, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 300, April 13, 2024
Win vs. Amanda Lemos, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 292, August 19, 2023
Win vs. Carla Esparza, Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), UFC 281, November 12, 2022
Win vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, KO (Spinning Backfist), UFC 275, June 12, 2022
Zhang’s keys are to apply relentless pace, work her low-kick game to slow Shevchenko’s movement and blend her striking with well-timed takedowns. If she forces Shevchenko to retreat or fight at a higher tempo than usual, her power and volume translate well to flyweight.
Fight Breakdown
This superfight is defined by sharp contrast in styles and championship experience. Shevchenko will look to manage distance with kicks, counters and lateral movement while using clinch trips and grappling control when Zhang closes the distance. Her goal is to slow the exchanges, punish overextensions and keep the fight in a tactical rhythm.
Zhang will attempt to disrupt that rhythm with aggressive pressure, calf kicks and combinations. She will try to push Shevchenko backward and force extended exchanges where her speed and volume can take over. If Zhang can maintain pace and keep Shevchenko reacting, rounds could become close and competitive.
Both fighters have the cardio to go five rounds and have proven they can finish high-level opponents. The clash likely comes down to whether Shevchenko can maintain clean distance management or whether Zhang’s explosiveness breaks through the champion’s defensive layers.
Prediction
Zhang is likely to start fast and force high activity early, but Shevchenko’s experience, composure and counter striking should allow her to settle in. As the fight progresses, her clinch control, trips and precision shots may begin to tilt the momentum. Zhang will create dangerous moments, but Shevchenko’s discipline at range gives her a consistent path to win rounds.
Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko defeats Zhang Weili by Decision (Unanimous)
A victory would further cement Shevchenko as the greatest flyweight of all time. A Zhang triumph would elevate her into the conversation for the greatest multi-division women’s fighter in MMA history.