5 of the best women's fights in MMA history

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili | UFC 248

After discussing Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko in detail, it becomes even more evident why the UFC strawweight division was inevitable. New divisions opened the door to new fighters and some would argue that there was a true passing of the torch between Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili. 

Weili won the title against Jessica Andrade, but would get her first title defense against Jedrzejczyk. With Andrade being such a perennial contender already, the set up for this fight was nothing short of spectacular. You had the greatest strawweight on the planet looking to make her way back into the fold against a relatively new fighter. Weili was just 3-0 before beating Andrade for the title. 

The preamble, the historical significant and the fight itself made this an experience to remember. Jedrzejczyk was so hungry and confident to get her belt back. There was so much at stake. So much skill to witness. It was truly two incredible fighters, at their best, looking to be considered the best in the world.

The body of work on display in this fight cannot be glorified enough. It was so close on the feet, with Jedrzejczyk showing just how good she is as a striker. She attacks all three levels so well and landed 186 significant strikes versus Weili’s 165. 

Despite the stats, they would go on to fight to a split decision in favor of Weili. Jedrzejczyk believed she did enough and there was always a chance these two would meet again. The magnificence of this fight was acknowledge appropriately as well, with every major MMA media outlet dubbing this the Fight of the Year in 2020. 

After Weili’s feud was settled with Rose Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk would get her opportunity to fight Weili once again. The winner of this fight was surely in line for a title shot after Namajunas lost the title to Esparza earlier in 2022. Settling the score once and for all, Weili would go on to win via spinning back fist, ending the rivalry for the foreseeable future and establishing herself as the top strawweight contender in the UFC.