Zhang Weili Dominates Suarez, Cements Strawweight Legacy: Who’s Next for the Champ?

In a masterful display of mixed martial arts prowess, Zhang Weili successfully defended her UFC strawweight title against the previously undefeated Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. The Chinese champion showcased her well-rounded skillset, shutting down Suarez’s vaunted wrestling and dominating the fight both on the feet and on the ground.

SHE’S UNSTOPPABLE 😤

Last night at #UFC312 Zhang Weili made her 3rd consecutive title defense! pic.twitter.com/kcyNlNcSjB

— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2025

From the opening bell, Zhang’s takedown defense proved impenetrable, stuffing 14 of Suarez’s 15 takedown attempts. The champion’s striking was equally impressive, as she outclassed Suarez on the feet, landing 232 total strikes to Suarez’s 63. Zhang even managed to secure a takedown of her own in the fourth round, becoming the first fighter to take Suarez down in her UFC career.

The judges’ scorecards reflected Zhang’s dominance, with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45 all in favor of the champion. This victory marks Zhang’s third consecutive title defense and cements her status as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.

With such a commanding performance, the question now turns to who might be next for the seemingly unstoppable Zhang Weili. Let’s explore three intriguing potential matchups for the strawweight queen.

Valentina Shevchenko: A Champion vs. Champion Superfight

One of the most exciting possibilities for Zhang’s next title defense could be a move up in weight to challenge newly crowned flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. “The Bullet” recently recaptured her title with a dominant performance against Alexa Grasso at UFC 306.

A champion vs. champion bout between Zhang and Shevchenko would be a clash of two of the most skilled female fighters in UFC history. Both women possess well-rounded skillsets and have shown the ability to dominate their respective divisions. The size difference would present an interesting challenge for Zhang, but her power and wrestling ability could potentially trouble Shevchenko.

This superfight would not only offer Zhang the opportunity to become a two-division champion but would also be a marquee matchup that could headline a major UFC pay-per-view event. The UFC has shown interest in this matchup before, and with both women coming off impressive title defenses, the timing could be perfect for this dream fight to finally materialize.

Virna Jandiroba: The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Specialist

If the UFC decides to keep Zhang in the strawweight division, a compelling challenger could be Virna Jandiroba. The Brazilian grappling ace is currently riding a four-fight win streak and is ranked third in the division.

Jandiroba’s world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills would present a unique challenge for Zhang. With 14 of her 21 professional wins coming by submission, Jandiroba would undoubtedly look to test the champion’s ground game. However, Zhang’s improved takedown defense and grappling, as demonstrated against Suarez, could make this an intriguing stylistic matchup.

A fight against Jandiroba would allow Zhang to further prove her dominance in all aspects of MMA. It would also give Jandiroba, who has been steadily climbing the ranks, a well-deserved shot at UFC gold. With Jandiroba scheduled to face Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314 in April[29], a win there could set her up as the next logical contender for Zhang’s title.

Mackenzie Dern: The Submission Threat

Another exciting potential matchup for Zhang would be against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Mackenzie Dern. Fresh off a submission victory over Amanda Ribas in January 2025, Dern has re-established herself as a top contender in the strawweight division.

Dern’s grappling credentials are impeccable, and her improving striking makes her a dangerous all-around threat. A fight against Zhang would pit the champion’s well-rounded game against Dern’s submission-heavy approach. It would be particularly interesting to see how Zhang’s takedown defense and ground game would fare against Dern’s elite-level jiu-jitsu.

This matchup would also offer an exciting clash of styles that could captivate fans. Dern’s aggressive submission hunting against Zhang’s calculated striking and grappling defense could produce a thrilling chess match inside the Octagon.

As Zhang Weili continues to cement her legacy as one of the greatest strawweight champions in UFC history, these potential matchups offer exciting possibilities for her next title defense. Whether it’s a superfight against Valentina Shevchenko, a grappling-heavy contest with Virna Jandiroba, or a submission-versus-striking battle with Mackenzie Dern, fight fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from the dominant Chinese champion.