It may only be the second full week of April on the calendar, but what might very well be the best MMA card in the entirety of the 2024 calendar year is upon us. In just a few days, fans of competitive violence from all around the world will come together in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena for a most-anticipated evening of action.
What began as a one-shot event in the fall of 1993 has brought the UFC here. Saturday night, UFC 300 will take place. As is the case with any milestone event from the promotion, CEO Dana White and his staff has pulled out all of the stops for the biggest party MMA may ever see.
You’ll have the anticipated return of Kayla Harrison when she takes on Holly Holm on the linear TV portion of the undercard along with three title fights to cap off the evening itself. Our Frazer Krohn discussed Saturday’s BMF title fight on YouTube this week.
After the lightweight fight takes place on Saturday, two divisional championships will be won, beginning in the UFC 300 co-main event.
Strawweight Gold Up For Grabs Saturday in Vegas
Your co-headlining bout takes place at 115 lbs. Not only is there a championship for the taking here, territorial bragging rights are also at stake.
It’ll be an all-China affair in the UFC 300 co-main event this weekend for the first time ever in a championship contest. Current titleholder Zhang Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) puts the strap on the line against challenger and No. 1 contender Yan Xiaonan (17-3, 1 NC MMA, 8-2 UFC). As with all UFC title fights, the UFC 300 co-main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round.
Immediately following in Saturday’s UFC 300 main event, the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship will be at stake between champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and No. 1 contender Jamahal Hill (12-1, 1 NC MMA, 6-1, 1 NC UFC). More on that fight later.
UFC 300 Co-Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the UFC 300 co-main event on Saturday night, challenger Yan Xiaonan stands as the taller contestant at 5-foot-5, compared to Zhang Weili’s 5-foot-4 frame. Both fighters have an identical reach of 63 inches, with Yan owning a one-inch leg reach advantage (37 inches to 36 inches over Zhang.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Zhang Weili installed as a -500 favorite on the money line, while Yan Xiaonan counters as a +375 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA, please wager responsibly.
Zhang Looks to Build Off Impressive Performance From August
Champion Zhang Weili has gone 3-2 in her last five fights. At present, she’s on a three-fight winning streak.
Most recently, she scored a unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos (14-3-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) during UFC 292 last August inside Boston’s TD Garden.
After the win, Zhang talked to Joe Rogan in the Octagon.
“Let’s rock, Boston!”, Zhang said, drawing cheers from the audience. “Thank you, everybody. Boston, I feel here, it’s my home. The energy you bring to me is unbelievable. I feel the energy you gave me.”
Statistically speaking, Zhang Weili outpaced Lemos by a final count of 296-29 in total strikes that summer night. You don’t have to be a math major to know that’s nearly a 10-to-1 ratio. Will she deliver a similar effort this time? Tune in Saturday to the UFC 300 co-main event and find out.
Yan Makes Title Fight Debut on Saturday
In the other corner, Yan Xiaonan has posted a mark of 3-2 herself over the last five bouts. Currently, she’s on a two-fight winning streak.
Last time out, the challenger stopped Jessica Andrade (25-12 MMA, 16-10 UFC) with a first-round knockout by way of a counter right during UFC 288 almost a year ago on May 6. Yan met with the press on Wednesday, and she mentioned that she’s not feeling the love from her fellow countrywomen.
“There are still more people supporting her,” Yan began, in reference to the champion. “But I have my family, my friends, and my coaching team supporting me. All my people will support me. To me, that’s enough.”
She may not have the backing of those in her home country, but will that change with a victory by Yan Xiaonan in the UFC 300 co-main event?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
While both women are Sanda fighters, the UFC 300 co-main event looks to favor Zhang Weili, a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, compared to Yan Xiaonan’s blue belt in BJJ.
Zhang Has One-Punch Power
Champion Zhang Weili can put her opponents away with one single blow. This is something that was illustrated in devastating fashion during her 2022 rematch vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk. During the second round of a scheduled three, Zhang pieced up Jedrezejczyk with a two-punch combination to wobble her, before sending her down, out, and into retirement with a spinning backfist.
If Zhang Weili can land the first big strike of the UFC 300 co-main event, look out.
Yan Can Punch Her Way to a Win, Too
In the other corner, Yan Xiaonan is an impressive striker in her own right. One need look no further than her fight against Jessica Andrade from last year.
While Andrade was quick with her strikes in the first round, Yan effectively counterpunched, including a punch to her opponent’s head from a feint. A leg kick set up another punch to put Andrade on the canvas before finishing her off with ground and pound.
All it will take for Yan Xiaonan to win the UFC 300 co-main event on Saturday night is to simply catch Zhang Weili off-guard.
Final Thoughts
This is going to be an amazing fight. One last piece of advice before we send you on your way: Get that popcorn ready before the contest starts.
Prediction: Zhang Weili by Second-Round TKO.
