After Dominating At UFC 312, Champion Faces A Major Ultimatum
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: UFC president Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 290 press ... [+] conference at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesWeili Zhang destroyed Tatiana Suarez in the co-main event of UFC 312, but now she faces a tough decision.UFC President told the media Weili and her team were waiting for him after the UFC 312 post-event presser, and he knew what they wanted. He said he was likely to give it to her, but it seemed there was a but.The Chinese icon would love to move up to flyweight to challenge future Hall of Famer Valentina Shevchenko in a true super fight, but according to Weili, the UFC has told her that if she moves up to flyweight, they want her to stay there and not attempt to move back down to strawweight.Weili discussed this in a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show.If you take a look at this complex issue, everyone involved has a point. Weilis desire to chase greatness and also rid herself of the weight cut to 115 pounds is understandable.SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Tatiana Suarez of the United States of America fights Zhang Weili ... [+] of China in their Strawweight Title Bout during UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMORE FOR YOUIf Weili could successfully move up to 125 pounds and defeat Shevchenko, she would become just the second woman in UFC history to become a two-division champion. If the UFC allows her to make the move before vacating the strawweight title, shed also have a chance to hold both titles simultaneously.Who wouldnt want to add that to their rsum?The UFC is right to safeguard against a champion holding up two weight classes this way. Truthfully, if Weili decides to move up to flyweight, shell need to properly condition herself to compete at 125 pounds.Its highly unlikely shed be able to safely move back down to 115 pounds and compete at the same level she has during her current championship run. Weili is too big of a star in her country and too valuable as a presence to encourage her to be anything but the best version of herself.Weili is beginning to open up with the American public, and her charm is evident to those who couldnt see it beyond the language barrier.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan reacts following her fight ... [+] against Alexa Grasso of Mexico for the Women's Flyweight title during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Getty ImagesShevchenko may be intrigued by the opportunity to fight Weili. However, No. 2 contender Manon Fiorot has been waiting for her opportunity, and she is the most deserving of a title shot.If the UFC allows Weili to leapfrog her, it would be a shame. Weili-Shevchenko is the most exciting fight, but Shevchenko-Fiorot is the right fight to make.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Manon Fiorot of France poses on the scale during the UFC 306 at ... [+] Riyadh Season Noche UFC Official Weigh-in at UFC APEX on September 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCIn the ideal scenario, Weili would take some time to prepare herself to compete at 125 pounds and should face the winner of Shevchenko-Fiorot in the third or fourth quarter of 2025.Well see if thats how this plays out.Whats Next for the UFC?Theres an intriguing Fight Night headed to fans on Saturday from the Apex in Las Vegas. Jared Cannonier will try to remain in the top 10 of the UFCs middleweight division as he battles the surging but unranked Gregory Rodrigues in the main event of UFC Vegas 104.The card also features a number of young up-and-comers like Jose Delgado and Elijah Smith. Here is a look at the entire card.UFC Vegas 102 - Fight CardNo. 7 - Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues Middleweight (185 lbs)No. 12 - Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal Featherweight (145 lbs)Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov Lightweight (155 lbs)Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews Featherweight (145 lbs)Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka Middleweight (185 lbs)Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski Middleweight (185 lbs)No. 12 - Julia Avila vs. No. 13 - Jacqueline Cavalcanti Bantamweight (135 lbs)Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith Bantamweight (135 lbs)Valter Walker vs. No. 15 - DonTale Mayes Heavyweight (265 lbs)Rafael Estevam vs. Jesus Aguilar Flyweight (125 lbs)No. 13 - Angela Hill vs. Ketlen Souza Strawweight (115 lbs)Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams Welterweight (170 lbs)Jared Gordon vs. Mashrabjon Ruziboev - Lightweight (155 lbs)Be on the lookout for post-event coverage. I have a sneaky suspicion were going to see some memorable fights and finishes in Vegas.
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