Zhang Weili is still champion after UFC 312.

In the co-main event Saturday at Qudos Bank Center in Sydney, Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) largely shut down first-time challenger Tatiana Suarez and retained her strawweight title via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45).

Suarez (11-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) found success early, as she took down Zhang early in the first round. While Suarez controlled much of the round, Zhang reversed position late.

In Round 2, Zhang brought Suarez’s momentum to a screeching halt. She took Suarez down and controlled her on the canvas. The success continued into Round 3 when Zhang rocked and wobbled Suarez badly with right hand.

The championship rounds were all Zhang, who utilized her grappling to become the first opponent to take Suarez down in the UFC. Suarez seemed rattled by a gigantic gash on her right knee, as she asked fiancee Patchy Mix in the corner how bad the cut was. Zhang held Suarez down in Round 5 and cruised to another victory as champion.

With the victory, Zhang, 35, has won five fights in a row and extends her current title defense streak to three. Her current reign is her second stint as champion.

Suarez, 34, loses for the first time in her pro MMA career. Despite a career riddled with injuries and other adversities, Suarez continued to march toward the top prior to Saturday’s setback.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 312 results include:

  • Zhang Weili def. Tatiana Suarez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
  • Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:35
  • Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute ruled a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
  • Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:06
  • Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Wang Cong def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Rong Zhu def. Kody Steele via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:19

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.

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