Grotesque aftermath of ‘all-time classic’

UFC 248 has delivered one of the great fights in the sport’s history with has just seen one of the all-time great fights for the women’s strawweight title between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and champion Weili Zhang.

Jedrzejczyk is ranked fourth in the division but as a former champion, she was ready to stake a claim for the belt.

Watch LIVE UFC with ESPN on KAYO including every Fight Night & preliminary fights for PPV events. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

What followed was five rounds of savage fighting with both women giving it everything.

Combinations of punches would be met in kind, kicks were met with overhand punches and both women left the octagon bloodied and in much worse state than they entered it.

But neither gave an inch in a fight that the commentators and social media both appeared to believe was one of the best fights in memory.

By the third round, Jedrzejczyk had a haematoma which just got worse throughout the rest of the fight, but it didn’t slow her down at all as they slogged it out to the final bell.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Joanna Jedrzejczyk touches her forehead at the end of a round during a split decision loss to Weili Zhang at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

The 32-year-old Polish fighter was worse for wear by the end of the fight with a stunning before and after comparison.

Before ➡ after.

UNREAL ? #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/WCy13lyTxW

While Zhang didn’t avoid damage, it was nowhere near the extent of Jedrzejczyk.

And social media had some jokes.

Joanna Jędrzejczyk. #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/jtzTYpfFdu

This isn't even Joanna's final form pic.twitter.com/w71cFuG90l

Joanna rockin’ that Ken Griffey Jr look #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/IVl4vHE5ox

Who did this?#UFC248 pic.twitter.com/U98rpy0jsH

By the end, it was a split decision with Chinese champion Zhang retaining her title.

AND STILL. ?

?? Zhang Weili retains her title in a showdown of EPIC proportions! #ChinaStrong #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/UT1HqDgH9j

Both women have been taken to hospital after the war that commentator Joe Rogan said was “the best fight I’ve called in women’s UFC history”.

After the fight, Zhang said she believed she had done enough to win.

“I was pretty sure I got it,” said Zhang, through a translator. “It was a great performance. We are all martial artists here. We don’t want trash talking. We want mutual respect.”

Zhang Weili celebrates her win.Source:AP

Jedrzejczyk said she was worried by the growing lump on her forehead.

“She did a great job, I felt her punches,” Jedrzejczyk said. “The swelling was bothering me. I felt it more and more, but we’re good. Congrats champ. I’m very happy we gave a good fight.”

But social media quickly praised both fighters for one of the “all-time classic” fights.

Jones and Gus had a classic and may deserve the title as best UFC fight of all time (I disagree), but what
Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Weili Zhang did tonight….GEEZ #UFC248

Wow that was the greatest WMMA fight ever

. @joerogan said that’s the best WMMA fight he’s called. Hands down best WMMA fight I’ve seen. And one of the best fights period! Congrats to both women! But special congrats to the champ!!!

What a WAR between @joannamma and the chinese machine @zhangweilimma ?! ????
Congrats to both of them ???#UFC248

Joanna Jedrzejczyk-Weili Zhang was an all time classic, no qualifiers needed. I scored it 48-47 Joanna.

Significant strike attempts through two rounds:

Adesanya vs. Romero: 59
Weili vs. Joanna: 267

Joe Rogan was right that the fans were spoiled by the co-main event.

Source: Read Full Article