UFC 235 live blog: Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang

This is the UFC 235 live blog for Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang, a strawweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Torres, who has lost two straight fights, faces Zhang, who has won 18 straight fights and is 2-0 in the UFC, on the main card.

Check out the UFC 235 live blog below.

Round 1: Chris Tognoni the referee for this matchup. Spinning kick by Zhang to the body. Torres having some difficultly getting past Zhang’s kicks, but she lands a good right over the top. Nice counter by Zhang as Torres steps in. Another counter backs Torres up. Low kick-jab combo by Zhang. She’s throwing her spinning back frely. They clinch up and Zhang goes for a throw, they scramble and Torres lands a short right as they stand back up. More inconclusive striking before Zhang ties up Torres looking to grapple. She’s pushing her against the cage and manages to get around and hop up onto Torres’s back to search for a choke. Torres controlling Zhang’s hands. She slips Zhang’s off and scores with punches on the break. Another scramble and Zhang ends up on top, throwing elbows. Close round to score.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Zhang.

Round 2: Both ladies come out throwing, Zhang scoring with a low kick and Torres firing one to the body. Torres pumping the jab. Zhang hits a back kick and then goes back to the leg. Torres’s leg starting to get red. Step kick to the body by Zhang. Another low kick by Zhang, but Torres gets inside with a 1-2 combination. Torres getting chewed up by Zhang’s kicks. Lunging right hand connects for Torres. Zhang stalking Torres with confidence. Torres with a crisp right hand in an exchange and Zhang ties her up. After some struggle, Zhang gets the trip and she’s on top with 90 seconds to work. Short punches are landing for Zhang. Torres reverses position and now she’s inside Zhang’s guard. Zhang tying Torres up and minimizing damage, but not doing anything to get out of danger. Torres postures up at the end of the round and eats an upkick before diving down to land a few punches.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Zhang. Overall, 20-18 Zhang.

Round 3: Torres now with the leg kicks. She opens up her offense and invites Zhang to do the same, they briefly stand and trade. Torres catches a kick and muscles Zhang against the fence. Zhang refusing to let Torres get comfortable, she’s constantly throwing elbows and punches inside. Takedown by Zhang. Zhang working from half guard, she’s grinding away with short elbows. Torres can’t get out from under. Not much action, but Zhang is chipping away with punches and elbows, getting way ahead on the scorecards. Torres stuck to the mat for a huge chunk of the final round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Zhang. Overall, 30-27 Zhang.

Official result: Weili Zhang def. Tecia Torres via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)