UFC 300 is set to become a historic event for the sport. With matches like Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage and Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill, the event has a solid card.
One of those matches is between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan. A matchup between two of China’s finest, the Women’s Strawweight Championship is on the line. The stakes are raised to the point where it’s the co-main event.
Here’s the breakdown of two rising stars in the UFC. What should fans expect from Zhang Weili? What about Yan Xiaonan? Let’s check out this massive matchup.
The Tape on Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili is your Women’s Strawweight champion. The Chinese superstar has a record of 24-3, with 11 KOs and eight submissions. She is a part of the Beijing Black Tiger team.
Weili is also a quick finisher, ending 11 of her matches in the first round. Having that ability to defeat an opponent with an early onslaught has made the 34-year-old a tough foe.
With a versatile skill set, Weili is extremely unpredictable. Will she beat her opponent with her striking? Or will she grapple and submit them? Fighting against the current Women’s Strawweight champ is akin to playing Russian Roulette in the octagon.
The Tape on Yan Xiaonan
On the other side is fellow Chinese fighter Yan Xiaonan. The contender has a record of 17-3, with eight knockouts and eight first-round finishes.
While Xiaonan isn’t the most accurate striker compared to Weili (significant striking accuracy of 44% compared to the champion’s 51%), she is a good grappler. The contender knows how to defend opponents taking her down (takedown defense of 70% compared to the champ’s 66%) making her a tougher opponent.
If Yan Xiaonon wants to win the Women’s Strawweight title, she mustn’t fall prey to the first-round finish. Wearing down the champion is key to gaining the upper hand, where Xiaonan shines brightest.
Who Wins and Why?
It depends on how the matchup swings. If Yan Xiaonan can extend the matchup past the first round, she can gain the upper hand. Additionally, the contender can wear down the champion, leaving her vulnerable to Xiaonan’s onslaught.
However, Zhang Weili is a more polished fighter. Being able to finish her opponents with incredible strikes, the champion will defend her title with a victory here. But she must make sure she gains momentum early in the fight.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
