Namajunas makes history as a two-time strawweight champ, KO’s Zhang in the first

Not only was Zhang Weili versus Rose Namajunas a monumental battle for the strawweight title, but it also pitted the third and fourth-ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighters in the world. The major question heading into the fight was if China’s greatest export to the UFC could stave off the advances of a former champion and one of the most well-rounded talents in the division. She was unable to do so on this night.

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Round one started with some range finding as Namajunas looked to work her jab, and the champ threw a lot of leg kicks, likely trying to slow the challenger’s movement for later in the fight. There was no need for a later in the fight. “Magnum” made a massive mistake by expecting a leg kick from her foe when instead “Thug Rose” threw one to the head. Zhang was badly out of position with her face leaning forward and her guard wide open. Her 28-year-old opponent was like a sniper at the moment and landed foot on face and flooring Zhang. Namajunas would pounce and finish the job to become the first woman to become a two-time champion in the same division.

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It was only Namajuna’s third victory by knockout, and it will now go up as a historic highlight-reel moment right next to her knockout win of Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217. She is now 8-2 in the UFC, since losing at The Ultimate Fighter Finale to Carla Esparza in 2014. The loss is just the second of Zhang’s career and the first by knockout. It will be interesting to see what comes next for both. If UFC history is any indicator, a rematch seems likely.