Zhang KOs Jedrzejczyk with spinning back fist, Jedrzejczyk retires from MMA
Zhang Weili made a huge statement in her rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk - and the last fight of Jedrzejczyk's illustrious MMA career.
In a battle of former strawweight champions, Zhang knocked out Jedrzejczyk with a spinning back fist at the 2:28 mark of the second round at UFC 275 on Saturday night in Singapore.
Zhang Weili knocks out Joanna Jedrzejczyk with a walk-off spinning backfist. One of the greatest KOs you'll ever see at #UFC275 pic.twitter.com/f5VT4SY5na
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) June 12, 2022
After the fight, the 34-year-old Jedrzejczyk announced her retirement.
Jedrzejcy: It’s been 20 years. I'm tuning 35 this year. I want to be a mom. I want to be a businesswoman. I’ve been traning more than half of my life. I love you guys. #UFC275
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 12, 2022
Zhang dominated the rematch after edging Jedrzejczyk by split decision in the 2020 "Fight of the Year." She took Jedrzejczyk to the mat in the first round and landed vicious ground-and-pound. Then, midway through the second frame, Zhang spun and hit Jedrzejczyk with her fist to deliver what will go down as one of the greatest highlights of 2022.
Jedrzejczyk, who hadn't stepped into the Octagon since the first Zhang bout, walks away from the sport as arguably the greatest 115-pound champion of all time. She was champion from 2015-17 and recorded five title defenses.
The Poland native walks away from the sport with a 16-5 record and having lost three of her last four outings.
Zhang, meanwhile, bounced back from two straight losses to Rose Namajunas in strawweight title fights that took place in April and November 2021. The Chinese fighter will next challenge current champ Carla Esparza - who dethroned Namajunas in May - for the belt.
Zhang held strawweight gold from August 2019 until the first Namajunas meeting.