On Saturday, the UFC 322 fight card touches down in the heart of New York City at Madison Square Garden with championship stakes and star power.
The spotlight builds toward the main event, as two of the greatest women in MMA history square off for the undisputed flyweight crown in the UFC 322 co-main event. Valentina Shevchenko, the longtime queen at 125 pounds, gets a true super fight challenge against Zhang Weili, the dominant strawweight champion, moving up in search of double-champ glory.
We’ll give our Shevchenko vs. Zhang prediction and UFC 322 expert pick below, along with PrizePicks UFC picks and all the key stats for this blockbuster title fight.
This Shevchenko vs. Zhang fight shapes up as one of the most historic fights in any women's division in UFC history. Let's get into our picks for UFC 322.
UFC 322 Pick: Shevchenko vs. Zhang Keys to the Fight
Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) enters UFC 322 looking to reclaim her throne and remind the world why she dominated the flyweight division for years. The former champion is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Manon Fiorot, defending her title for the seventh time at UFC 315, a fight that showed Shevchenko is still one of the greatest female fighters ever in the sport.
Her precision striking, world-class counterattacks, and tactical fight IQ remain among the best in women’s MMA.
But now, she faces a unique test in Weili Zhang, a powerhouse moving up from strawweight with relentless pressure and explosive athleticism.
Zhang (26-3) has looked unstoppable at 115 pounds, reclaiming her belt in dominant fashion over Carla Esparza and then defending it three times against Amanda Lemos, Xiaonan Yan, and Tatiana Suarez. Her mix of cardio, power, strength, and ground dominance makes her one of the most complete fighters in the UFC today.
Moving up to flyweight, though, means dealing with Shevchenko’s size, accuracy, and control in space. Zhang will likely push the pace, but Shevchenko’s ability to time entries and neutralize forward movement could be the difference early.
If the fight stays standing, this could turn into a striking chess match between Zhang’s aggression and Shevchenko’s precision kickboxing.
However, grappling exchanges may prove decisive — whoever wins control on the mat could walk out of New York with two-division glory or reclaimed gold.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili Start Time, Stats, How Each Wins
Valentina Shevchenko’s experience at the championship level gives her a major edge heading into UFC 322. She’s fought the best of multiple generations and remains one of the most technically sound strikers in MMA history.
Her timing, distance control, and defensive awareness make her incredibly difficult to pressure for extended stretches. When she dictates the pace, Shevchenko tends to turn fights into one-sided technical showcases where opponents struggle to find openings.
She also holds a wrestling and grappling advantage that could be overlooked in this matchup. If Zhang gets aggressive and overextends, Shevchenko’s reactive takedowns and top control could steal rounds and frustrate the Chinese champion’s rhythm.
However, Zhang Weili’s tempo and explosiveness are unlike anything Shevchenko has faced in years. Her ability to mix up striking with sudden level changes and chain wrestling gives her momentum tools that can disrupt Shevchenko’s trademark poise.
If Zhang can make this a high-pressure fight and force constant exchanges, her athleticism and power could tilt the tide. But if Shevchenko keeps her distance, controls range, and finds her counters early, her precision and experience could prevail.
UFC 322 Shevchenko vs. Zhang Start Time, How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
- Time: Main Card – 10 p.m. ET | Shevchenko vs. Zhang Start Time – 11:30 p.m. ET (estimate)
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
- TV: ESPN+ PPV
Valentina Shevchenko Stats for UFC 322
Overall Record: 25-4-1
UFC Record: 14-3-1
Last 5 Fights: 3-1-1
Height: 5’5"
Reach: 66”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.1
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 2.6
Last Fight: Win vs. Manon Fiorot by Decision
Finishes: 15 (8 KO/TKO/7 SUB)
Zhang Weili Stats for UFC 322
Overall Record: 26-3
UFC Record: 10-2
Last 5 Fights: 5-0
Height: 5’4"
Reach: 63”
Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.0
Takedowns Landed Per 15 Minutes: 3.6
Last Fight: Win vs.Tatiana Suarez by Decision
Finishes: 19 (11 KO/TKO/8 SUB)
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili Prediction, Pick for UFC 322
Here is our expert UFC 322 prediction and pick for Shevchenko vs. Zhang. All picks are available via PrizePicks UFC board.
Shevchenko vs. Zhang Prediction: Shevchenko – 68.5 Significant Strikes
- Shevchenko averages 18:44 of fight time in each of her UFC fights.
- The former Muay Thai world champion lands 3.14 and throws 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
- UFC’s flyweight champion has exceeded 68.5 significant strikes in five out of her last six fights.
- “Bullet” has landed at least 69 significant strikes in 9 out of her 18 UFC fights (50%).
Make Shevchenko vs. Zhang Picks on PrizePicks
UFC 322: Shevchenko vs. Zhang will be broadcast live on ESPN+ PPV from Madison Square Garden, New York City, this Saturday, November 15.
This co-main event pits the reigning and defending UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko, putting her flyweight title on the line against the former strawweight champion Zhang Weili in a fight to see who is the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time at UFC 322.
You can win real money by locking in your UFC 322 predictions on PrizePicks — from the first fight of the night all the way to the welterweight main event. Pick your fighters and win cash if you're right.
Just go to the PrizePicks MMA board, pick two or more UFC fighter projections, lock in your Lineup, and cash in if your picks are on point.
