UFC 300 results: Zhang Weili defends strawweight title in decision win over Yan Xiaonan

Zhang Weili’s UFC title reign continues.

The UFC women’s strawweight champion defended her belt this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 300, which took place Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defeated Yan Xiaonan (17-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in the first ever title fight that involved two Chinese fighters.

The official verdict read 49-45, 49-45 and 49-45 in favor of Weili.

#AndStill Strawweight champion of the world, @MMAWeili #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/dm06zUdcvs

— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024

It was a fairly dominant showing by Weili, with a very bizarre moment.

In the first round, after a few minutes of back-and-forth action, Xiaonan got her back taken by Weili, who sunk in a rear-naked choke, and appeared to choke out Xiaonan seconds before the bell rang. Xiaonan looked to be out. She was limp for a few seconds and stumbled to her feet. The UFC commentators and many online thought Xiaonan was choked out unconscious, but she walked over to her corner looking confused, and the fight continued.

The second round was a dominant one from Weili, and she came close in submitting Xiaonan. However, things changed drastically in the third. Xiaonan picked up plenty of momentum by taking down Weili and also connecting several shots on the feet that seemed to stun the champion.

The championship rounds were also competitive, but it seemed that Weili recovered cardio wise and was able to control the fight for longer periods of time. Xiaonan put on an admirable effort, but Weili was clearly a step ahead in the grappling in the last two rounds.

Zhang Weili now has the second most title fight wins in strawweight history with 5⃣@MMAWeili | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/etxVO0NSjR

— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024

Weili is now on a four-fight wining streak. Her last defeat came in a rematch against Rose Namajunas in an attempt to recapture the title. Since the loss, she knocked out Joanna Jedrzejczyk, then took the belt from Carla Esparza, and had defended it twice –  defeating Amanda Lemos and now Xiaonan. This is Weili’s second title reign. The 34-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest strawweights in UFC history.

Xiaonan saw a two-fight wining streak come to an end. She had defeated Jessica Andrade and Mackenzie Dern prior to UFC 300.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 300 results include:

• • Zhang Weili def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
  • Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje via knockout (punch) – Round 5, 4:59 – to win “BMF” title
  • Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:38
  • Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:17
  • Aljamain Sterling def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:47
  • Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:29
  • Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:11
  • Jessica Andrade def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Bobby Green def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
  • Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:02

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.