Dana White announced that Valentina Shevchenko will defend her women’s flyweight title against Zhang Weili at UFC 322 on November 15, live from Madison Square Garden—a venue synonymous with combat sport grandeur. This champion vs. champion matchup is ready to serve because the co-main event of a blockbuster card, headlined by Jack Della Maddalena’s first welterweight title defense against the previous lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev.
Valentina Shevchenko will fight Zhang Weili for the ladies’s flyweight title at #UFC322 on Nov. 15 at MSG, Dana White announced.
This bout will serve because the co-main event for Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev. pic.twitter.com/YM3BpwEixF
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 29, 2025
Shevchenko (25-4-1), widely considered the best flyweight in history, stands on the precipice of her second title defense in her current reign atop the 125-pound division. After reclaiming the throne with a dominant victory over Alexa Grasso at UFC 306—a rematch cementing her legacy—Shevchenko turned back Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, reaffirming her place as flyweight royalty. Her technical precision, unyielding composure, and championship mettle have led her to seven title defenses during her first reign and now see her dominating once more.
Zhang Weili (26-3), the tenacious former strawweight queen, has vacated her 115-pound crown to chase greatness in a division higher—a rare move that speaks volumes about her ambition and competitive spirit. She brings along with her the momentum of three title defenses in her second strawweight championship run, most recently demolishing Tatiana Suarez in a dominant showing at UFC 312. Eschewing comfort, Zhang embarks on this flyweight journey, in search of to etch her name among the many sport’s multi-division elites.
Zhang Weili is a tank
Undecided why she was so neglected within the lead as much as this fight
Listed below are just a few instances of Zhang out grappling Suarez pic.twitter.com/LLKnfyhZgP
— William – Open Note Grappling 📝 (@OpenNoteGrapple) February 9, 2025
Importantly, this bout isn’t only a collision of singular talent—it’s a contest between the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 and No. 2 women’s fighters, a storyline that fans have clamored for and analysts have debated for years. With Zhang having vacated her strawweight title to pursue recent glory, UFC 322’s co-main event is a throwback to legacy-building superfights, shifting the promotional focus toward fully lively divisions and continuous championship turnover.
The Stakes: Legacies in Motion
For Shevchenko, a win at Madison Square Garden would bolster her status as essentially the most decorated flyweight in UFC history—potentially expanding her undefeated streak and adding yet one more achieved striker to her list of conquered foes. Her cerebral approach, world-class kickboxing, and seasoned grappling are balanced by an icy composure under pressure, all aspects that make her a frightening obstacle for any challenger.
Zhang’s narrative is equally compelling. After conquering strawweight and defending her crown atop a talented field, she now steps right into a lion’s den where fighters are larger, stronger, and arguably just as expert. Her relentless pace, powerful combos, and resilience have powered her through adversities, each inside and outdoors the cage. If she dethrones Shevchenko, Zhang would join an exclusive club of multi-division UFC champions, cementing her legacy as one in all the all-time greats.
The stylistic matchup guarantees fireworks. Shevchenko’s wide-ranging arsenal—from spinning kicks to surgical takedowns—will clash with Zhang’s heavy hands and relentless forward movement. Each fighters have evolved to mix aggression with technical mastery, making this bout greater than a belt—it’s a referendum on who truly reigns supreme among the many women’s ranks.
UFC 322: Star Power on Full Display
Beyond Shevchenko vs. Zhang, UFC 322 will showcase a stacked lineup befitting the world’s most iconic arena. Jack Della Maddalena (18-2), still riding high from his title-clinching win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, faces Islam Makhachev (27-1)—a transition from lightweight king to welterweight aspirant, echoing career-defining jumps which have shaped the game’s mythos.
Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight title against Islam Makhachev at Madison Square Garden in Latest York at UFC 322, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/R38GpXNjSi
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 29, 2025
Makhachev, guided by the legacy of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, goals for two-division glory after vacating his 155-pound title. Like Zhang, he’s an embodiment of the pursuit of greatness, and his methodology guarantees to check Della Maddalena in recent dimensions.
The MSG card bolsters its ranks further, featuring high-stakes matchups reminiscent of Leon Edwards versus Carlos Prates, and an intriguing women’s flyweight contest between Erin Blanchfield and Tracy Cortez. Yet, it’s the champion-vs-champion storylines—Shevchenko meeting Zhang and Makhachev squaring off with Maddalena—that can draw the sports world’s gaze, promising an evening of legacy-defining drama and technical warfare.
With anticipation reaching fever pitch, UFC fans and pundits alike are left to ponder: Who will rise, who will surprise, and who will walk out of Madison Square Garden because the undisputed queens and kings of their divisions? November 15 can’t come soon enough.