UFC 300 plays host to a femme fatale.
It’s China vs. China in the co-main event as UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili defends her title against Yan Xiaonan. It’s back-to-back title defenses for Zhang in her second title reign. Yan, the #1 contender, enters her first world title fight tonight.
Yan earned her first crack at gold with a ferocious knockout of former champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 288 in May. Almost a year later, she faces her fellow countrywoman in the co-feature of the UFC’s biggest card of the decade.
The reigning, defending champ Zhang last fought Amanda Lemos, dominating the challenger across five rounds at UFC 292 in August. “Magnum” is riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Lemos and former champs Carla Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Round 1:
Zhang just misses on a kick. Yan clips Zhang with two punches. Yan rushes in and the two women enter the clinch. They separate. Zhang throws wildly, but misses. Zhang loads up on her hooks as Yan moves in, getting the takedown on the champ. Zhang throws a leg kick. Yan drops Zhang with a punch.
Zhang enters the clinch, taking Yan down in the process. Zhang secures Yan’s back and attempts a rear-naked choke. Zhang applies the pressure, squeezing Yan’s neck until the bell rings. Yan looks unconscious as Zhang lets the choke go.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Zhang
Round 2:
Yan comes in with a combo of strikes. Zhang is quick to drag Yan down to the ground, resuming her grappling process she made in the opening round. Zhang gets back up only to topple Yan once more. Zhang establishes top control. Zhang lands a few short elbows on Yan. Yan is flattened out and Zhang rains down ground and pound. “Magnum” keeps firing shots with Yan somehow surviving the offensive onslaught. Zhang attempts an arm-triangle submission from top position.
Yan escapes and turns the tide, getting top control of Zhang for only a moment. The women get back up to their feet. Yan cracks Zhang with a 1-2. Zhang eats a punch right as the round ends.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Zhang
Round 3:
Yan sends Zhang down with a powerful side kick to the body. Yan knocks down the champion with a punch. Zhang is on her back and attempts a few upkicks on the towering Yan, who is on her feet. The referee stands them back up. Zhang lands a body kick. Zhang lands a staggering right hand on Yan before entering the clinch. Yan gets a takedown on Zhang.
Zhang pushes Yan off with a kick to get back on her feet. They hit the mat again only for a moment before returning to the feet. Zhang and Yan finish the round in the clinch.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Round 4:
Zhang hits Yan with a right hand. Zhang swings big but misses. Yan returns fire, knocking down Zhang again. Zhang is quick in her return to the feet. Zhang follows up a punch with a takedown attempt, which is nearly reversed by Yan in a scramble. Zhang is able to stay on top, getting ahold of Yan’s back close to the cage.
Zhang lands a few punches on the challenger. Zhang lands punches to the body and then to the head. More strikes pile up for Zhang. Yan doesn’t have any answers for Zhang’s superior grappling. Zhang chips away bit by bit on Yan with punches. Yan punches behind her as Zhang fires more shots. Round ends.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Zhang
Round 5:
Zhang partially lands a headkick. Zhang quickly heads in for a takedown and is successful. Yan is able to get up after a few seconds spent on the ground. Zhang throws a headkick and then backs it up with another takedown. Zhang secures Yan’s back. Yan tries to scramble out of the position, only for Zhang to gain top control.
Zhang seizes Yan’s back, landing a few short punches here and there. Zhang goes right back to top control. Zhang lands more ground and pound as the fight comes to a close after five rounds.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Zhang (total score: 49-46 Zhang)
Official result: Zhang Weili defeats Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
Check out the highlights below:
Ready to make her mark! 👊@YanXiaoNan | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/qu7PFdGnZj
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) April 14, 2024
Locked and Loaded! 🏆@MMAWeili | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/lOInhRBMJ7
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) April 14, 2024
Zhang Weili now has the second most title fight wins in strawweight history with 5️⃣@MMAWeili | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/etxVO0NSjR
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
Magnum Retains! 🏆
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) April 14, 2024
🐉@MMAWeili digs deep and puts a strong showing late to remain the UFC strawweight champion after five hard-fought rounds! #UFC300 #AndStill pic.twitter.com/rJz64pjgpZ
