Zhang Weili shuts down Tatiana Suarez, retains title at UFC 312 - ESPN

Zhang Weili successfully retained her women's strawweight championship by dominating previously unbeaten Tatiana Suarez with a unanimous decision win in the co-main event of UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Saturday.

Fighting out of Beijing, Zhang (26-3) has demonstrated her dominance over the strawweight division during her second run as champion. After picking up dominant wins over Carla Esparza, Amanda Lemos and Yan Xiaonan, Zhang was booked for what was presumed to be the toughest title defense of her current run against Suarez and closed as the betting underdog.

It was anything but difficult.

Instead, Zhang put on a clinic, successfully defending 14 of 15 takedown attempts and outstriking the challenger 251-61. With scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 49-45, she is tied with Joanna Jedrzejczyk for most strawweight title fight wins at six.

«I respect Tatiana, and she was very strong,» Zhang said. «It's OK that I was the betting underdog.»

Suarez (11-1) brought the fight to the canvas in the opening minute when Zhang overcommitted on a punch and fell into Suarez's clutches. Zhang got to her feet and Suarez attempted a guillotine choke that the champion snuffed out and ended the round in top position.

A failed takedown attempt by Suarez along the fence gave Zhang top position. Suarez got back to her feet but Zhang connected with a right hand. Another takedown attempt from the challenger was thwarted as Zhang again fell into top control and rode the position until the end of the round.

Zhang, 35, put her striking to work in the third and blasted Suarez with a right hand that badly wobbled the challenger. A spry Zhang turned back another takedown attempt and landed a combination on Suarez's chin. With Suarez falling into