Fight by Fight Preview | UFC 312: You Plessis vs Strickland 2

Before you Plessis and Strickland run back, Strawweight Queen Zhang Weili defends his title against the undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez in a fascinating Co-Main event match.

Zhang appeared only one performance in 2024, but it was a memorable when the two-garde title holder gathered to defeat her compatriot Yan Xiaonan in an exciting back and forth match on the UFC 300. The Chinese standout has now earned four equal victories and on The following successful title defense since the re -recovery of the belt towards the end of 2023 and seems to remain at the top of the division while handing over Suarez his first professional loss this weekend in Sydney.

Long considered a future champion, the 34-year-old Suarez finally gets the opportunity to challenge for UFC Gold. The former Olympic Wrestling hopeful and ultimate fighter winner has earned six wins and four finishes since her time on the long-standing reality TV competition and seems to be the sixth woman sitting on the top returning Zhang.

This is a fascinating competition on a number of levels that begin with the stylistic dynamic between these two. Zhang has used his giant and physicality more in recent matches to control and dampen opponents, but Suarez is a phenomenal wrestler and grappler that is not yet best to be best or tested on the canvas. There are also the contrasting questions about age and health as Zhang is now 35 years old and closes for 30 professional performances, while Suarez has struggled to stay healthy and have not fought since submitting Jessica Andrade in August 2023.

Will it be “and still” or “and new” when this one is over?