There was a lot of buzz amongst hardcore fans for tonight’s UFC 248 bout between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili, and all that hype was very well-founded.
Both women came out throwing leg kicks, and Weili ate a hard right not long in. Jedrzejczyk bested Weili in a couple more exchanges. Weili planted a big right but Jedrzejczyk fired back. Weili started to land more often as the round progressed. The steady volume of strikes continued until the end of the frame.
Jedrzejczyk scored with a nice right not long into round two. Weili continued to press forward and attempted a takedown around 90 seconds in. Jedrzejczyk defended and a clinch battle ensued. Both women fired in elbows and swelling under Weili’s right eye was visible. Weili cracked Jedrzejczyk with a huge right moments later that appeared to stun the former champ. Jedrzejczyk recovered and resumed her attacks. Jedrzejczyk planted another leg kick and hit Weili to the jaw with a follow-up head kick. The fighters also clashed heads in the ensuing exchange.
Weili tagged Jedrzejczyk with massive left early into round three but the former champ wore it well. Jedrzejczyk scored with a big left straight and Weili started to slow down. Jedrzejczyk fired in another nice straight left and followed-up with a kick to the body. Weili clinched up mid-round and briefly took Jedrzejczyk down. Weili took Jedrzejczyk down momentarily again. In the last minute, a huge hematoma started forming on Jedrzejczyk’s forehead. Weili continued to wing in big shots but Jedrzejczyk ate them and fired back and was landing more often. Weili was bloodied up after the frame.
Both women came out winging big punches. Weili staggered Jedrzejczyk with a hard left but the former champ scored with her own punch moments later. Both women planted huge hooks. Pace slowed somewhat but Jedrzejczyk looked like the fresher fighter. Weili planted a massive right but Jedrzejczyk yet again, continued to fire back. Jedrzejczyk planted an elbow and then clinched up. The hematoma on Jedrzejczyk’s forehead was absolutely massive by the end of the round.
Weili came out with a hard combo and both women scored with punches. Jedrzejczyk landed a nice right straight and the champ scored with a left hook. Jedrzejczyk’s nose may have been broken. The volume slowed down and then Jedrzejczyk planted a huge left. Both women fired in more shots. What a fight. Jedrzejczyk initiated the clinch but the action returned to the center of the Octagon moments later. Weili was more active in the remaining two minutes but Jedrzejczyk continued to fight back. Jedrzejczyk cracked Weili with a spinning back fist late in the frame and the fans stood up as the final seconds ticked off. Wow.
Weili retains the belt via split decision.
Here are the results so far for UFC 248, which is taking place in Las Vegas.
Zhang Weili def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Beneil Dariush def. Drakkar Klose via KO (punches) R2, 1:00
Neil Magny def. Li Jingliang via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alex Oliveira def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez via TKO (strikes) R1, 2 :02
Mark O. Madsen def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbeg Safarov via submission (arm-triangle-choke) R1, 2:58
Gerald Meerschaert def. Deron Winn via submission (rear-naked-choke) R3, 2:13
Giga Chikadze def. Jamall Emmers via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti via knockout (punches) – R1, 3:01
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