Shevchenko Dominates Zhang, Ties nunes for Most UFC Championship Fight Victories
Valentina Shevchenko delivered a masterful performance, defeating Zhang Weili by unanimous decision in the VeChain UFC 322 co-main event. The victory marks Shevchenko’s second accomplished flyweight title defense of 2024,her ninth overall across two reigns,and her 11th UFC championship fight victory – tying her with amanda Nunes for the most in UFC history.
While a size difference existed between the two fighters,Shevchenko showcased her technical prowess and diverse skillset. Despite being the larger athlete, she demonstrated striking precision, repeatedly targeting Zhang’s body, and displayed strong grappling ability throughout the contest.
Shevchenko’s success stems from her strategic approach, consistently formulating and executing effective game plans focused solely on securing victory. This approach, exemplified by her dominant grappling against Zhang, prioritizes effectiveness over spectacle.
The 37-year-old’s legacy is further solidified by her accomplishments prior to her flyweight dominance. She achieved important success at bantamweight, with victories over former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman, ex-UFC titleholder Holly Holm, and future champion Julianna Pena. Her two losses to amanda Nunes were competitive, despite being outsized.
Shevchenko’s professional record stands at 26-4-1, including avenged losses to Liz Carmouche and Alexa Grasso in championship bouts. Potential future challengers include Natalia Silva and Erin Blanchfield, and a return to bantamweight remains a possibility.
