UFC 322: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili: Live round-by-round updates

Before the welterweight crown is contested, Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili step into the co-main event of UFC 322 in a battle between two of the sport’s most proven champions.

Shevchenko returns as the established force at flyweight, ready to test the challenge of her Chinese rival. Weili, meanwhile, steps in after years of dominance at strawweight, bringing speed, sharp reactions, and a brand of physical pressure that has broken world-class opponents for nearly a decade.

Shevchenko enters with the familiarity of a division she has controlled for years. Her win over Manon Fiorot in Montreal showed her ability to stay composed in tight rounds and close strong when the stakes demand it.

Her timing and decision-making are sharp as ever, and her knack for creating small openings continues to separate her from most challengers. Zhang arrives with confidence built on consistent improvements and a well-rounded game suited for long contests.

The meeting works because both carry complete toolkits and neither relies on a narrow pathway to win. The key question sits with Zhang’s transition to 125 and how her strength scales against a champion known for efficiency, range control, and impeccable timing.

The early prelims of UFC 322 start at 6 pm ET and 3 pm PT on ESPN+, Disney, and UFC Fight Pass. Prelims follow at 8 pm ET and 5 pm PT, with the main card beginning at 10 pm ET and 7 pm PT on pay-per-view.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for live coverage and full round-by-round updates of UFC 322:

Round 1

Edited by Abhishek Nambiar