By Josh Lynnes
LAS VEGAS, NV – UFC 248 highlights two champions looking to defend their titles for the first time. Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya looks to defend his title against Olympic wrestling silver medalist and #3 ranked middleweight Yoel Romero. Strawweight champion Zhang Weili is tasked with defending her belt against former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Adesanya (18-0) has already etched his named into the UFC record books with his meteoric rise to claim the title in less than 2 years with the organization. Adesanya chose begin his legacy stepping into the octagon with Romero, a fighter many have refused to face.
Romero (13-4) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to second ranked Paulo Cost, before that he lost a split decision to former champion Robert Whitaker. Although he is coming off back-to-back losses Romero will not be overlooked in this fight.
Weili (20-1) captured strawweight gold in just her fourth UFC bout with a 42 second TKO win over Jessica Andrade. Weili is riding a 20-fight win streak that includes 11 first-round finishes.
Jedrzejczyk (16-3) holds the most wins in UFC women’s strawweight history with 10 will look to regain the throne. Jedrzejczyk is coming off a five round unanimous victory over Michelle Waterson.
The prelims will feature Montana native Sean O’Malley, as he looks to remain unbeaten as he faces Jose Quinones.
UFC 246 is Saturday, March 7th the early prelims on ESPN+ at 5:30PM CST, prelims on ESPN at 7PM CST followed by the Main Card on ESPN+ PPV.