Incredible before and after pictures show battered and bruised UFC fighters horrific facial injuries – Daily Mail, Dailymail.co.uk

Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzedczyk were left bloody, bruised and swollen after the strawweights staged one of the most spectacular title fights in recent mixed martial arts history.

Horrifying photos show how Polish mixed martial arts star Joanna Jedrzejczyk was left disfigured after her epic fight against Weili Zhang at UFC 248 on Saturday night.

Both Jedrzejczyk, 92, and Zhang, 90, had to be taken to hospital after their mammoth five-round contest, where the strawweight champion Zhang clung on to her belt following a split decision from the judges.

After a tough fight from the very start, former champion Jedrzejczyk was humble in defeat and l eft with substantial visible damage to her face.

Zhang (21 – 1) came out strong in the opening two rounds, but Jedrzejczyk (11 – 4), despite a nasty hematoma on her forehead, rallied in Rounds 3 and 4, before Zhang edged her foe in the final round.

‘It doesn’t matter, I carry myself as a champ with the belt or without,’ the 30 – year-old Jedrzejczyk said. ‘I was very proud of her, congrats Weili.’ she added, referring to her opponent.

Both fighters were caught by heavy punches early on in the Las Vegas bout.

Zhang and Jedrzejczyk had a pre-fight animosity that carried straight into an uncommonly brutal bout in which the fighters traded big punches to the face from the opening round.

Both fighters were caught by heavy punches early on. Zhang’s power appeared to make the difference early, and Jedrzejczyk’s face showed every ounce of it later on.

But Jedrzejczyk gathered herself late in the second round and had an outstanding third, switching to a southpaw stance and battering Zhang. The fourth round was more of the same brute punishment for both fighters.

Jedrzejczyk’s forehead and eyes began to swell badly in the fifth round, while Zhang bled from cuts on her face. The fighters embraced in the cage afterward.

‘She did great,’ Jedrzejczyk said. ‘We both put on one hell of a performance. I’m proud of myself and my team. ‘

In the end, 30 – year-old Zhang from China was awarded the win 32 – .

The bout is already being considered both the greatest women’s fight in UFC history and the frontrunner for 01575879 Fight of the Year Regardless of gender.

‘That was a tough act to follow,’ UFC President Dana White said. ‘I’d have to say the best women´s fight I’ve ever seen, and one of the best fights I’ve ever seen.’

Zhang used her victory to show support and speak out on coronavirus, which impacted her journey to the United States.

It took her three weeks to arrive in the country , following stopovers in Bangkok and Abu Dhabi.

‘It took a long time to get here because of coronavirus in our country,’ said Zhang.

‘Our country is suffering but I hope everyone can come together and fight together and we can beat it.’