Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s Strawweight elites Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk will collide this Saturday (March 7, 2020) at UFC 248 from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Zhang may not have won the “Fighter of the Year” award in 2019, but it’s hard to argue that anyone had a greater rise to prominence than the Chinese athlete. “Magnum” moved from the undercard to the main event, an unranked athlete who rose up to devastate the champion via first-round knockout. Of course, whenever a fighter ascends the ranks too quickly, there are questions to be asked. A tough veteran like Jedrzejczyk is the perfect woman to pose such questions, as few can doubt the former champion’s mettle or talents.
Let’s take a closer look at the keys to victory for each woman:
Weili Zhang
Record: 20-1
Key Wins: Jessica Andrade (UFC Fight Night 157), Tecia Torres (UFC 235), Jessica Aguilar (UFC Fight Night 141), Danielle Taylor (UFC 227)
Key Losses: None
Keys to Victory: Zhang is really just a ferocious athlete. Unlike her opponent, Zhang did not start training martial arts as a teen. Instead, the former fitness instructor quickly picked up skills and was able to apply them against the best in the world with a shocking quickness.
Seventeen of Zhang’s victories come via knockout or submission.
Against Jedrzejczyk, there are several proven strategies. First and foremost, it’s important to note that trying to outwork the Polish striker on the feet is a fool’s errand — Jedrzejczyk’s volume is her strength, and trying to match her in that area would be a mistake.
However, Zhang hits very hard, and significance of strikes matters. As Namajunas did, Zhang would be wise to feint and draw out a response from Jedrzejczyk. Once confident in her foe’s timing and reactions, Zhang can look to land the heavier blows. If she’s dictating the pace and choosing when to exchange, Jedrzejczyk’s pace will be less affecting.
Secondly, Jedrzejczyk may have excellent takedown defense, but she’s proven more vulnerable to clinch takedowns than shots. Zhang has shown great upper body throws in the past, and that could be a wise path to shifting a close round in her direction.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Record: 16-3
Key Wins: Jessica Andrade (UFC 211), Claudia Gadelha (TUF 23 Finale, UFC on FOX 13), Karolina Kowalkiewicz (UFC 203), Carla Esparza (UFC 185), Michelle Waterson (UFC Fight Night 161)
Key Losses: Rose Namajunas (UFC 223, UFC 217), Valentina Shevchenko (UFC 231)
Keys to Victory: Jedrzejczyk’s output is constant. She doesn’t ever stop moving or take a break — Jedrzejczyk is always moving, jabbing, kicking, and firing combinations at a pace that is simply unmatched.
As usual, that volume and Jedrzejczyk’s conditioning are her great weapons in this match up. Jedrzejczyk cannot hope to trade punch-for-punch with Zhang, but there’s every chance she can stretch this fight out and capitalize in the championship rounds.
In general, I don’t think punching with Zhang early is the goal. Instead, Jedrzejczyk should be operating as the matador and scoring kicks at range. The more commitment to her low kicks, the better — chopping the leg remains the best way to chip away at an opponent’s quickness and power. In addition, Jedrzejczyk’s teep could be an important weapon. Zhang really likes to burst forward with her right right hand, but a hard stab to the stomach would serve to deny that surge and exhaust her opponent.
Consistent kicks and movement early will lead to late-fight success for the “Boogeywoman.”
Bottom Line
It’s an excellent title fight and co-main event.
This is a serious and different test for Zhang. She decimated Andrade in hugely impressive fashion, but the Brazilian offers a pretty unique challenge: she’s all aggression and strength, which is hardly the Strawweight norm. Jedrzejczyk help us see how the Chinese star handles a 2- minute fight at a high-pace, as well as how she deals with a very technical kickboxer.
If Zhang dominates again, the rest of the division should be gravely concerned.
As for Jedrzejczyk, is this her final chance at UFC gold? A fourth-straight loss in a title fight would not be an easy obstacle to overcome, and the 32-year-old striker has hinted before that she doesn’t intend to fight forever. There’s a real chance this is her last chance to reclaim the throne she held for so long, which adds an extra level of intrigue to an already exciting match up.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 248 fight card this weekend right here, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 248: “Adesanya vs. Romero” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
At UFC 248, Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk will battle in the co-main event. Which woman will leave the cage with the strap?