Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez UFC 312 Live Blog
Zhang Weili faced Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in the co-main event 5-round bout.
Weili defended UFC Strawweight Championship for the third time in her second title reign. She beat Amanda Lemos and Yan Xianon after winning the title from Carla Esparza. Suarez was unbeaten in his 11-fight career before this fight, but was returning to the ring after 18 months. Was she in rhythm for the biggest fight in her career?
Tune in below as we post live round-by-round updates from Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez UFC Strawweight Championship co-main event bout at UFC 312.
LIVE BLOG
Round 1: Suarez is in a southpaw stance while Weili starts in a orthodox stance. No shots exchanged in the first 30 seconds. Weili kicks at the leg which starts an exchange that leads to Suarez getting a takedown. Suarez pins Weili to the mat and is trying to get her under control. Weili grabs her arms and does not let her settle. Suarez gets her arms free. She tries a couple of shots. Weili is not making things easy for her with though. Heavy boos from the crowd as the fight continues to be on the mat without much action. Suarez gets in a half guard position but had to change it to across. Weili counters a submission attempt and they get up. But Suarez goes for a front headlock and takes her down to the mat again. Weili breaks free after a while and is in a half gaurd position now. Suarez tries to choke her but Weili gets some shots going.
Round 2: Some fake shots to start the round from Weili before she lands a high kick. Suarez resorts to another takedown after they exchange shots. Weili backs up to the cage where Suarez continues to attempt a takedown. Weili counters and gets her down to the mat. Weili keeps hitting elbows whenever she gets a chance. Suarez is cut up under her eyes. Suarez gets hold of her leg but Weili hits quick punches. They get up while Suarez still has a hold on the leg. Both women try to hit knees before they separate and return to the middle. Weili lands a massive 1-2. She forces Suarez back with a big swing. Suarez goes for a double leg and pushes Weili to the cage again. She slips in this attempt and Weili gets on top of her again. Suarez attempts a choke again but Weili is more in control. Suarez is attempting a guillotine. Weili keeps landing punches from a half guard position which continues for almost 40 seconds as the round ends.
Round 3: Weili lands a high kick after 20 seconds. She lands a front kick after 15 seconds. Weili continues to land her shots. She lands a big shot at one minute mark which forces Suarez to attempt a takedown again. Suarez lands an elbow before another takedown attempt. They scramble at the cage for a while before returning to the middle. Weili goes away from another takedown attempt. Weili lands another big kick followed by a punch after a while. Weili slips but Suarez could not take advantage. Weili swings big again. She lands a kick to the ribs. She counters a knee with another punch. She mixes it up with punches and more. Suarez also tries to get her striking game going. Weili blocks a takedown attempt easily. She lands a combo. Weili ends the round by shutting down another takedown attempt.
Round 4: Suarez lands a good punch. Suarez lands a shot but Weili also lands a counter. Weili gets a takedown this time and is trying to get into a half gaurd position. She struggles for a while before wrapping her hands around the necks. Suarez breaks free after 30 seconds. They continue to scramble on the mat. They were about to get up again but Suarez attempts a choke and Weili has to get her to the mat to counter. More scramble on the mat with Weili on the top to end the round.
Round 5: Suarez tries to keep Weili at bay, but Weili lands a beautiful punch. Weili shuts down another takedown and lands an elbow in between. Suarez pushes her to the cage but Weili gets her leg free to land another shot while backing away. Weili lands a knee before Suarez pushes her to the cage again. Suarez’s takedown attempt gets countered and Weili is over her once again. They scramble on the mat for a while before Weili gets on her back looking for a rear naked choke. Suarez does well to block it though. Weili has to return to half guard position to looks to land more elbows and punches. Suarez tries to get her into a choke but Weili keeps landing punches. And that’s how this fight ends.
Official Decision: Zhang Weili won via unanimous decision(49-46, 49-46, 49-45)