Joanna Jędrzejczyk
The amazing 2020 strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk is officially legendary. UFC officially announced this epic battle will enter the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing as part of the Class of 2026. This incredible clash at UFC 248 made history. It now stands proudly as the very first women’s bout ever to be successfully inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame.
A Monumental Championship Showdown
On March 7, 2020, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, fans witnessed pure greatness. Both athletes stepped into the octagon riding massive momentum. Zhang entered as the defending strawweight champion holding an impressive twenty-fight winning streak. She had recently become the very first Chinese athlete to capture a UFC title. (Watch the video HERE)
Jędrzejczyk brought her own fierce pedigree to the cage. She entered the bout holding a stellar professional record. She already held major victories over former champions. The stage was perfectly set for an absolute war. From the opening bell, the fight delivered non-stop action. These two talented fighters battled for twenty-five minutes in a grueling war.
Dana White Praises The Battle
UFC President Dana White perfectly captured the raw energy of that night. He praised both women for their unbelievable heart.
“The fight between Joanna and Weili at UFC 248 is one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen,” White stated. “You had two talented savages that wanted the strawweight title more than anything and neither one of them backed down. I knew this was going to be a badass fight and it absolutely delivered.”
The sheer volume of attacks was truly staggering. The three judges only agreed on one single round out of five. Zhang and Jędrzejczyk combined to land an incredible 351 significant strikes. This number remains the most ever recorded in a women’s UFC contest. It also stands proudly as the third-most in any UFC title fight history.
Iconic Images And Unforgettable Moments
Jędrzejczyk landed more than 180 significant strikes during the intense bout. This marked the fourth time she achieved such massive offensive volume. The brutal intensity eventually left Jędrzejczyk with a massive, swelling hematoma on her forehead. That stark visual instantly became an iconic image in MMA history, proving her incredible toughness.
After five exhausting rounds, the lucky crowd erupted into a massive standing ovation. Zhang emerged victorious. She retained her coveted strawweight title by a razor-thin split decision. The fight immediately won Fight of the Year honors from major sports outlets like Yahoo Sports, MMA Junkie, MMA Fighting, and CBS Sports.
The Legacy Lives Forever
The two fierce warriors eventually met again for a highly anticipated rematch. They clashed at UFC 275 in June 2022. Zhang secured a devastating knockout victory with a beautiful spinning backfist. Yet, their very first meeting remains their absolute defining masterpiece. We will celebrate them again this summer at the induction ceremony.
