MMA Preview – Weili Zhang vs Xiaonan Yan at UFC 300
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WEILI ZHANG VS XIAONAN YAN FACTS
When is UFC 300? Sunday 14th April, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 300? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 300? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 300
What channel is UFC 300 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 300? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
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!
WEILI ZHANG VS XIAONAN YAN LOWDOWN
We only saw Weili Zhang (24-2) once last year which was her second successful title defence. Rose Namajunas (2021) is the only fighter that has outclassed her and after suffering two losses to her giving up the strap, she was forced to watch Namajunas lose it in a pathetically limp title fight. However, she made light work of the new champion Carla Esparza (2022) submitting her in the second round. She followed that up with a classy unanimous decision over Amanda Lemos at UFC 292.
Xiaonan Yan (17-3-1) steps up for her first title fight coming off two wins. The UFC are gifting China with this matchup on the highest profile card. After Esparza (2021) snapped a 13-fight unbeaten streak, Marina Rodriguez (2022) made it two losses in a row pushing her further back on the road to the title. However, a majority decision over Mackenzie Dern (2022) and clinical knockout over Jessica Andrade (2023) has fast tracked her back up the road.
WEILI ZHANG VS XIAONAN YAN PREDICTION
Yan is a superb striker and is improving with each fight. However, she is a hefty underdog for a reason. Zhang is a seamless fighter and does not have any weaknesses.
She is brutishly strong, an explosive striker and her grappling has become one of her strongest attributes. We expect her to mix everything together, but her easiest route to victory is to wrestle.
The longer she decides to stand the better Yan will look and the exchanges will be exciting. Yan is more technical, but Zhang’s power will add up. Over three rounds, Yan can be competitive until the bell, but we feel Zhang’s grappling will overwhelm her and may even find a late finish.
Prediction: Zhang via Submission
