Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk delivered a fight for the ages at UFC 248 this past weekend at the T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After going back-and-forth in five thrilling rounds, the Chinese fighter narrowly escaped her challenger, winning the epic contest by split decision to retain the strawweight championship and extend her winning streak to four fights.
The strawweight pair threw more than 800 punches in 25 minutes of action to become the top three title fight with the most significant strikes landed.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk were rushed to the hospital, following their epic war, but no fighter sustained significant injuries.
The Polish challenger, though, was left with a massive hematoma after Zhang landed a brutal right hand late in the second round.
“It’s one of the best fights I’ve ever seen, period,” Dana White told TSN.
“Right when the fight got over, I heard that they threw 800 punches, 400 each, in that ballpark.”
“Both women were incredibly durable, kept coming forward, both of them wanted to win that belt so bad. It was one of the greatest fights ever.”
Relive the epic strawweight title fight in the UFC 248 Fight Motion video below:
Gracious In Defeat
Jedrzejczyk has accepted the judges’ decision and remains grateful in life despite her most recent loss.
“Doesn’t matter what’s happening in my life. WIN or LOSE UP or DOWN I am grateful every single day and night!”
Grateful for the life I get to live, grateful for the people I’m surrounded by, and grateful for all the beautiful moments. I know I am lucky, and I am thankful.”
The Polish fighter still holds the record for the most number of title-defences at 115 pounds with five but has been winless in the last four title fights.
In case you missed it, here are the full results of UFC 248 Fight Card (via MMA Fighting):
Main card
Israel Adesanya def. Yoel Romero via unanimous decision
Zhang Weili def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk via split decision
Beneil Dariush def. Drakkar Klose via second-round KO (1:00)
Neil Magny def. Li Jingliang via unanimous decision
Alex Oliveira def. Max Griffin via split decision
Prelims
Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez via TKO (strikes) (R1, 2:02)
Mark Madsen def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rodolfo Vieira def. Saparbek Safarov via sub (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 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Danaa Batgerel def. Guido Cannetti via KO (punches) (R1, 3:01)
Emily Whitmire vs. Polyana Viana – fight canceled
(Featured Image Source: YouTube/ UFC)