The Takedown | Zhang Weili’s stunning UFC 275 KO overshadowed by Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s retirement

Zhang Weili picked up one of the most important victories of her career at last Sunday’s UFC 275 event in Singapore, but you wouldn’t know it based on the post-fight headlines.

The Chinese star, 32, was back in action in the middle bout of the event’s main card, taking on a fellow former strawweight champ in Joanna Jedrzejczyk. It was the second time the pair had met, after Zhang defeated her 34-year-old Polish rival by decision in an all-time classic back in 2020.

The second time around, Zhang won in decisive fashion, sending her foe crashing to the canvas with a spinning back-fist in the second round.

Under ordinary circumstances, it was the kind of highlight-reel win that would keep fans talking for weeks to come. Yet Zhang’s incredible victory has been largely overshadowed by several other post-fight storylines – most notably Jedrzejczyk’s retirement.

Once the Polish star had regained consciousness and collected herself, she removed her gloves and put them down in the centre of the Octagon – a symbolic gesture that has been made my many retiring fighters of the years. She then made it official in her post-fight interview with commentator Daniel Cormier, who is a retired former champion himself.

“Guys, I love life so much,” she said after her loss to Zhang. “I’m retired, guys. I love you so much. Thank you for the support.”

Jedrzejczyk is a bona fide MMA legend and a shoo-in for the UFC Hall of Fame. She is arguably the greatest strawweight of all time, with five title defences to her credit, and one of the most influential female fighters in the sport’s history, taking up the torch from Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano before her. All of the praise she is receiving as she rides off into the sunset is deserved.