China's Zhang Weili defeats 'undefeated' Tatiana Suarez

China's Zhang Weili successfully defended her UFC Strawweight title against top-ranked Tatiana Suarez of the US at UFC 312 on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, ending Suarez's 11-0 undefeated record and securing her third consecutive title defense.

In the fight, Zhang and Suarez went the full five rounds, with Zhang winning by unanimous decision.

"Suarez was very determined, and I could feel her strong desire for victory," Zhang told the media after the fight. "As for me, I'm a stubborn person, and I want to challenge my opponent's strengths to push myself. The more you fear your opponent's strengths, the more it limits your own skills. So don't be afraid."

"This was not only a high-level technical matchup, but Zhang also showed a strong advantage in mental toughness and control over the pace of the fight," Liang Runxuan, an MMA coach based in Beijing, told the Global Times.

Liang noted that Zhang demonstrated not just technical skill, but a well-rounded tactical approach. She was both precise with her strikes and adaptable to different situations in the fight.

The fight on Sunday began with Zhang's strikes being countered by a takedown from Suarez, who achieved a side control position and attempted to dominate on the ground. However, Zhang successfully defended herself and avoided further control.

In the second round, Zhang increased her offensive pace, landing successful strikes before taking Suarez down to the ground and controlling her. By the third round, Suarez's weaknesses in the standing exchanges became apparent as Zhang landed heavy punches. Heading into the fourth round, Suarez was at a disadvantage and remained so until the fight ended.

"Zhang displayed excellent defensive counter-attacks against Suarez's wrestling," Liang said. "Especially in ground control, she successfully avoided Suarez's offense and used her own ground game to tire out her opponent."

Zhang said that combat sports contain a wisdom and philosophy "like water," according to a report from the Global People.

"If you put water on fire, it will boil; but if you put it in a cold place, it will turn into ice," Zhang noted. "­Water can take any form, just like us in a fight. You have to be like water to adapt to your opponent's techniques and style."

Looking back on Zhang's journey in the UFC, she defeated Jessica Andrade to become the first UFC champion from China in 2019. After an epic showdown with former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk from Poland in 2022, she became a household name and a beloved "fighting queen."

According to the Global People, Zhang's fight against Jedrzejczyk was the one where she sustained the most severe injuries. Before the fight ended, her eye had swollen into a large lump. Zhang's mother, unable to bear seeing her daughter in pain, never watches her fights live. To ease her mother's worries, Zhang has a habit of calling her via video after each fight to let her know she is okay. That time, Zhang only sent a text message.

"I had bought her a smartwatch that monitors stress levels," Zhang recalled. "She worries about me getting hurt, so before every fight, her stress level is always very high. It only goes down when she knows I'm fine after the fight. But this time, the numbers stayed high for a long time."

Compared to Zhang, 34-year-old Suarez has had a much more turbulent career. She was sidelined for three years due to injuries and illness, but this did not deter her from pursuing MMA. Her inspiring story of resilience and strength has gained her immense popularity among Chinese MMA fans.

"Suarez almost lost her career due to cancer and severe injuries, but she spent four years fighting her way back from her hospital bed to the fighting cage," Peng Tao, a Chinese MMA enthusiast and Suarez fan, told the Global Times. "Even against a top champion like Zhang, she was still able to pose a significant threat with her wrestling control and ground game."

Peng noted that Suarez's "against-the-odds" courage is far more valuable than the outcome of any fight.

"Some might say it's a regret that Suarez's undefeated record was broken, but I believe a truly great fighter is never defined by being 'undefeated,'" he said.

"Her resilience teaches us that the most remarkable moments in life aren't those spent at the top, but rather the moments when, after countless falls, you choose to stand up again."

Building on this spirit of perseverance, Zhang's triumph over Suarez has set the stage for a new chapter in her career. According to the Daily Economic News, after this victory, Zhang's potential move to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko could become a reality.