MMA Preview – Rose Namajunas vs Weili Zhang 2 at UFC 268
ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS WEILI ZHANG FACTS
When is UFC 268? Sunday 7th November, 2021 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 268? Madison Square Garden, New York (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 268? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 268
What channel is UFC 268 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 268? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS WEILI ZHANG LOWDOWN
Rose Namajunas (10-4) is back on her throne after snapping Weili Zhang’s 21-fight win streak with an effortless head kick in the first round. You can tell she was completely on that night, full of eery determination and confidence. The same could not be said for Zhang who seems a little off and ate the consequences. Namajunas now prepares for her third rematch for the strawweight strap which may be a good omen as she was superb against Joanna Jedrzejczyk beating her twice in a row and outclassed Jessica Andrade after getting pile-drived onto her head.
Weili Zhang (21-2) seemed off in the sense that she did not look focused and just seemed happy to be there as the champion. She had the pressure of China on her shoulders and looked like a little schoolgirl wanting an autograph from Namajunas as they touched gloves. Meanwhile, Namajunas was cold as ice muttering to herself that she was the best. Zhang paid for it and now needs to get into the same mindset that steamrolled through Tecia Torres, Andrade and coming through that war and best female fight of all time with Jedrzejczyk.
ROSE NAMAJUNAS VS WEILI ZHANG PREDICTION
Zhang’s loss will feel like the first of her career. Her previous loss was her first professional fight eight years ago and it is a feeling she had forgotten. She blitzed her way to the title in a stacked division and then suffered a humiliating defeat so this will be the biggest test of her character.
Their first fight barely got going and we have no doubt that this will be more competitive, and we expect to see a thrilling battle between two of the most skilled boxers in the UFC. They should approach this the same way, with Namajunas constantly moving, circling and stepping in to throw combinations and Zhang looking to throw venom in all limbs.
Zhang is naturally very aggressive so it will be interesting to see if she displays any hesitancy. She needs to control the centre of the octagon, cut Namajunas off, close the distance and offload her kicks and punches. She cannot afford to watch and react to Namajunas as the champion is very clever in setting up traps.
Her knockout was a thing of beauty using her footwork to lure Zhang in to defend a low right kick but went up with a left head kick with zero telegraph. It was a shock to Zhang in every way, but you know she will be better prepared now.
She has the skill and power to win the stand-up battle, but it will depend on where her head is at after that loss. Namajunas on the other hand is more confident than ever and will be working on planning more traps with Trevor Wittman.
We expect this to go into the championship rounds at least and the longer it will go on, the more you have to favour Zhang. Her power will build up and as Namajunas does not throw as much volume as Jedrzejczyk, she may find herself chasing the fight and opening herself up as she hunts a finish.
This fight could steal the show and if the fight hits the deck, their ground skills will keep us on the edge of our seats, but we expect five rounds of elite striking. Unless Zhang can control the range, we are leaning towards Namajunas but Zhang is the shout as the underdog.
Prediction: Namajunas via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Zhang via Decision
