The UFC women’s divisions are set for a massive showdown as Zhang Weili has vacated her strawweight title to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight championship at UFC 322. UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight on Instagram on August 28, 2025, confirming it as the co-main event for November 15 at Madison Square Garden. This champion-versus-champion clash pairs two of the sport’s top female fighters in a historic bout.
The event, headlined by Jack Della Maddalena defending his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev.
Epic fights in The World’s Most Famous Arena ‼️
Jack Della Maddalena vs @MakhachevMMA 🏆@BulletValentina vs Zhang Weili 🏆@Leon_EdwardsMMA vs @TheNightmare170
Register #UFC322 interest 👉 https://t.co/jVJGMCoHeE pic.twitter.com/8hYszPJDmM
— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2025
Zhang Weili’s Big Move Up
Zhang Weili, who held the strawweight title twice, chose to vacate it after a strong run. She first won the belt in 2019 by knocking out Jessica Andrade in 42 seconds at UFC Shenzhen. She lost it to Rose Namajunas in 2021 but reclaimed it in 2022 by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281. In her second run as champion, she defended the title three times, beating Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 in August 2023, Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 in April 2024, and Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February 2025. Her 26-3 record highlights just how ready she is for the flyweight division.
Before UFC 312, Zhang told MMA Fighting she hoped it would be her last strawweight fight. Now, she’s moving to 125 pounds to face Shevchenko, aiming to become a champion in two weight classes. The vacant strawweight title will be contested at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, with Virna Jandiroba facing Mackenzie Dern, as White announced on Instagram.
Valentina Shevchenko, the current flyweight champion, is a formidable opponent. The 37-year-old from Kyrgyzstan reclaimed her title in a unanimous decision over Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 in September 2024, after a loss and a draw in their trilogy. She defended it against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 in May 2025, marking her eighth title defense across two reigns.
Shevchenko’s first reign from 2018 to 2023 included seven defenses against fighters like Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade, and Taila Santos. Her precision striking and grappling make her a tough challenge for Zhang. Now, with a 25-4-1 record, she aims to stop Zhang.
