Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang prediction, odds, pick for UFC 322

UFC 322 is about to achieve a fever pitch from Madison Square Garden because the Women’s Flyweight (125) title can be on the road within the Co-Fundamental Event. Champion and UFC legend Valentina Shevchenko will welcome former champ Weili Zhang of China as two of MMA’s best finally meet. Check our UFC odds series for the Shevchenko-Zhang prediction and pick.

Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) has gone 14-3-1 during her illustrious UFC profession since 2015. Most recently taking the belt back from Alexa Grasso and defending against Manon Fiorot in dominant fashion, Shevchenko will welcome Zhang as she defends her title against the reigning strawweight champ. Shevcheno stands 5-foot-5 with a 65.5-inch reach.

Weili Zhang (26-3) has gone 10-2 contained in the UFC since 2018 en path to holding multiple strawweight title. After gaining the belt back over Carla Esparza and defending it successfully three consecutive times, Zhang notably vacated the belt and can now face the hardest test of her profession in a brand new weight class. Zhang stands 5-foot-4 with a 63-inch reach.

Listed below are the UFC 322 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC 322 Odds: Valentina Shevchenko-Weili Zhang Odds

Valentina Shevchenko: -135

Weili Zhang: +114

Over 4.5 rounds: -270

Under 4.5 rounds: +200

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Why Valentina Shevchenko Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Manon Fiorot – U DEC
• Last 5: 3-1-1
• Finishes: 8 KO/TKO, 7 SUB

While many thought Manon Fiorot could be a dangerous opponent for Valentina Shevchenko given her physical frame and striking ability, Shevchenko showed that she’s still the perfect striker within the division and managed to land two key takedowns as well. She faces a really similar fighter to herself in Weili Zhang, so it’ll be interesting to see how Shevchenko evolves to the challenge and the way she will continually add to her game.

The space control can be essentially the most crucial a part of this fight and Shevchenko is a master at capitalizing on the smallest openings. Zhang tends to bounce in her stance and let her guard down at times, like when she was knocked out by Rose Namajunas. Shevchenko is among the finest alive along with her high head kick, so expect that to be an analogous theme on this fight.

Moreover, Shevchenko has shown her willingness to go to the bottom and secure rounds along with her control time. While Zhang is a particularly talented wrestler herself, Shevchenko is more fluid and has more techniques to work with from there.

Why Weili Zhang Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Tatiana Suarez – U DEC
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 11 KO/TKO, 8 SUB

After dominating the Strawweight Division with a second title run, Weili Zhang is finally making the leap to the Flyweight Division to face an all-time great of the game. In doing so, Zhang is seeking to make history in her own right, very similar to Shevchenko tried when moving as much as bantamweight. By the looks of it during fight week, Zhang looks massive, muscular, and in great shape heading into this fight.

Given her strong frame, Zhang can have an enormous advantage within the clinch and along the fence. While Shevchenko could be very savvy at defending takedowns with a 76% rate over her profession, Zhang could find success along with her brut strength if she’s capable of lock her hands along the fence. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how much of an influence advantage Zhang has in the brand new weight class.

It’ll even be interesting to see if she loses any speed or if the additional weight affects her cardio in any way. Zhang was already a physical specimen when fighting at 115, so this 125 frame should suit her style more. Given how generally physical of a fighter she is, do not be surprised if she uses every little bit of strength and force to her advantage.

Final Valentina Shevchenko-Weili Zhang Prediction & Pick

Fans of the game have been anticipating this matchup for some years now and we’re lucky to finally have the celebs align. Weili Zhang looks to be in tremendous shape at 125 and given the recent dominant run she went on, we must be seeing an equally dominant force this time around. We’ll see how she’s capable of use the additional weight to her advantage and the way big she’ll look come time to step within the cage.

Still, Valentina Shevchenko has gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Amanda Nunes, so the physicality of Zhang should not be a difficulty on this fight. Given how briskly she looked against Manon Fiorot, I expect Shevchenko to have a serious advantage here along with her handspeed and kicking. Nevertheless, she’ll should be precise in moving out of range as Zhang is more likely to be walking her down throughout this one.

For our final prediction, I believe we’ll see a classic fight where either side have their moments, but it surely’s ultimately Valentina Shevchenko who puts together the more complete performance. Still, this fight is razor-thin and the chances could possibly be closer to a pick’em by the point this fight closes.

Final Valentina Shevchenko-Weili Zhang Prediction & Pick: Valentina Shevchenko (-135)