UFC 322: Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili – Betting Odds, Fight Time & How To Watch

TLDR

• Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight title against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 322 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden
• Betting odds list Shevchenko as slight favorite at -122 with Zhang at +100, reflecting the competitive nature of this superfight
• Shevchenko brings superior size and reach advantage along with elite counter-striking and distance management skills
• Zhang moves up from strawweight where she holds a 26-3 record and has defeated top contenders including Tatiana Suarez and Yan Xiaonan
• The fight is expected to be decided in the clinch where both fighters possess strong muay Thai skills and grappling abilities

Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili

Valentina Shevchenko puts her flyweight championship on the line against Zhang Weili in the co-main event of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden this Saturday. The fight represents one of the biggest women’s MMA matchups in UFC history, pairing two divisional champions with exceptional credentials.

Shevchenko enters the fight with a 25-4-1 record and has dominated the flyweight division with a 10-1-1 mark in title fights. The 37-year-old from Kyrgyzstan most recently defeated Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision in May 2025. She holds 17 muay Thai and K-1 championships along with extensive kickboxing experience.

The betting odds reflect how evenly matched these fighters are. Shevchenko is listed at -122 while Zhang comes in at +100 according to FanDuel. Both fighters possess strong striking credentials and grappling skills that make this fight difficult to predict.

Shevchenko stands 5’5″ with a 67-inch reach compared to Zhang’s 5’4″ frame and 63-inch reach. The size difference could play a factor as Zhang has relied on physicality and strength at strawweight. Shevchenko excels at distance management and counter-striking, using her southpaw stance to land check hooks and counter crosses.

Zhang has shown improvements in her wrestling and grappling game since changing camps. She has worked with Henry Cejudo and the Hickman brothers to develop better takedown chains and defensive wrestling. Her striking arsenal includes fundamental techniques along with spinning attacks and strong clinch work.

Striking Matchup Analysis

The stand-up battle favors Shevchenko’s counter-striking approach against Zhang’s aggressive style. Shevchenko uses jabs and feints to set up body kicks and head kicks while managing distance effectively. She has shown the ability to neutralize aggressive opponents by timing takedowns as they enter striking range.

Zhang prefers to stay light on her feet and uses feints to open up kicks and hooking combinations. She utilizes her lead sidekick like a jab in open-stance situations to gauge distance. However, she has been vulnerable to counters when throwing kicks, which could be a concern against Shevchenko’s timing.

Zhang’s team has proven effective at creating focused game plans for specific opponents. They identified weaknesses in Alexa Grasso’s approach that led to her title win. Against Shevchenko’s predictable counter-striking style, Zhang may find opportunities to bait and counter.

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Grappling and Clinch Work

Zhang demonstrated powerful clinch striking when she knocked out Jessica Andrade to win the strawweight title. Her sanda background provides slick trips and takedowns at close range. Recent training has improved her wrestling chains and scrambling ability from bottom position.

Shevchenko’s tendency to attempt head-and-arm throws has cost her positions in past fights against Amanda Nunes and Alexa Grasso. Zhang’s athleticism and back-taking skills could capitalize on any mistakes. The size advantage should help Shevchenko control clinch exchanges and dictate where the fight takes place.

Zhang’s success at strawweight came partly from her strength advantage over smaller opponents. Moving up to face naturally bigger fighters presents new challenges. Rose Namajunas and Yan Xiaonan both found success using their size to control Zhang in grappling exchanges.

Shevchenko has shown she can be outworked by high-volume opponents who don’t wait for perfect opportunities. Manon Fiorot, Taila Santos, and Alexa Grasso all had competitive fights by staying active. Zhang’s willingness to engage could score points if she accepts getting hit to land her own shots.

The champion’s experience at flyweight gives her an edge in understanding how to use her frame. She has defeated multiple former strawweight champions who moved up to challenge her. Zhang represents the most skilled and accomplished challenger to make this jump.

Shevchenko’s team at Tiger Muay Thai has prepared her for Zhang’s speed and diverse striking arsenal. The fight takes place at Madison Square Garden where both fighters have competed before. Zhang won her first strawweight title at MSG in 2019 while Shevchenko has fought there twice.