Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk UFC Picks & Predictions - 3/7/2020

Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

UFC 248

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Weili Zhang will enter the Octagon with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The opening moneyline has Zhang coming in at -175 while Jedrzejczyk is coming in at +155.

Weili "Magnum" Zhang will be looking to add a win to her career record of 20-1-0. The 30-year-old records a weight of 115 lbs and stands 5' 4". The switch fighter reaches 63". Joanna Jedrzejczyk measures in at 5' 6" and is fighting at 115 lbs. The orthodox fighter walks into the Octagon with a mark of 16-3-0. The 32-year-old stretches 65". Concerning significant strikes, Weili Zhang is landing 6.22 per minute while Joanna Jedrzejczyk lands 6.18 significant strikes per min. Zhang is connecting on 49% of the significant strikes she tries while Jedrzejczyk is landing 47%. In terms of defending in the cage, "Magnum" absorbs 2.24 significant strikes per minute while Jedrzejczyk takes 2.73. Zhang also curbs 63% of the significant strikes her opponents throw at her while Jedrzejczyk is able to curb 65% of the strikes thrown her way.

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Regarding grappling, Weili Zhang is the better wrestler as she takes her opponents to the mat 1.75 times per 15 minutes. Zhang is finishing her takedown attempts on 30% of her tries and thwarting 90% of all takedown attempts. Jedrzejczyk is getting her opponent to the mat on 62% of her takedown tries and stuffing 81% of all takedowns attempted on her. In terms of going for the sub, Zhang is the more capable of the two fighters by attempting 0.9 finishes per 15 minutes while Jedrzejczyk tries 0.1 finishes per 15 minutes.

The last time she stepped into the Octagon, Weili Zhang fought Jessica Andrade and ended up getting the victory in the fight via a punch to the head in round 1. Andrade ended up landing 4 of 12 of the strikes she let go in total for this contest. Zhang ended the night having landed 29 of 38 total strikes. In the category of significant strikes, Andrade ended up landing 4 of 12, which gave her a percentage of 33%. She ended up landing 2 of 9 significant strikes aimed at the head. In terms of stats for the opponent, Zhang landed 76% of her significant strikes by landing 29 of 38. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, she connected on 16 of 25 pointed at the head. 75% of the significant strikes connected on by Andrade and 51% of them landed by Zhang were tallied at a distance.

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In the last bout for Joanna Jedrzejczyk, she squared up with Michelle Waterson and wound up getting the victory via unanimous decision in round 5. Waterson ended up landing 75% of the significant strikes she attempted at distance while Jedrzejczyk ended up connecting on 73% of her significant strikes at distance. Jedrzejczyk ended up landing 60% of the significant strikes she attempted by landing 180 of 300. She ended up connecting on 48 of 136 significant strikes to the head. Waterson connected on 58 of 160 significant strikes in that contest. Looking at the significant strike accuracy, she landed 25 of 84 directed at the head. Regarding total strikes that she let go in that fight, Waterson connected on 71 of 174 and Jedrzejczyk landed 226 of 347 of all the strikes she attempted.

Other bouts on the card to watch out for

Another fight that you're going to want to watch is when Emily Whitmire clashes with Polyana Viana. Whitmire steps into the cage holding a record of 4-3-0. The 28-year-old steps on the scale at 115 lbs and measures 5' 5". The orthodox fighter reaches 63". Viana measures in at 5' 5" and weighs in at 115 lbs. The orthodox fighter holds a record of 10-4-0. The 27-year-old reaches 67". In terms of takedowns, Emily Whitmire gets a takedown 1.18 times per 3 rds while Polyana Viana is able to score a takedown 1.29 times per 15 min. Regarding striking, Whitmire connects for an average of 2.84 strikes/min and is landing 31% of her attempted strikes. Joining her in the Octagon is Polyana Viana, who is landing 41% of the strikes she attempts and connects on 3.89 per minute.

If you're going to be watching the fights, don't miss when Yoel Romero is set to square up in the Octagon against Israel Adesanya. Adesanya steps into the Octagon holding a record of 18-0-0. The 30-year-old will fight at 185 lbs and stands in at 6' 4". The switch fighter has a reach of 80". Romero stands in at 6' 0" and is weighing in at 185 lbs. The southpaw fighter holds a mark of 13-4-0. The 42-year-old has a reach of 73". Regarding takedowns, Israel Adesanya is stopping 85% of his opponents' takedown attempts and is taking his opponents to the mat on 10% of the times he tries. Romero is finishing his takedown tries on 31% of the tries he takes and is able to defend against 78% of the takedowns his opponents try. With reference to striking, Adesanya is absorbing 2.60 strikes/minute while he dishes out 4.46 per minute. Romero, in contrast, takes 3.21 strikes/min and connects on 3.71 per minute.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Weili Zhang (-175)

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