Although Suarez hadn't fought since August 2023 due to numerous injury issues, the American made a confident start and used her grappling prowess to devastating effect.

But Zhang worked back into the fight with her striking power only to again be under pressure early in round two.

Suarez aimed at the legs and looked for an early takedown only for Zhang again to fend off the challenge as she unleashed a flurry of punches until the horn.

Zhang started to wear down a bloodied Suarez, who sported a nasty gash on her knee, and a brutal uppercut had her opponent feeling dazed.

She would not be denied as Zhang won her sixth title fight win, equalling the record of Joanna Jedrzejczyk in UFC women's strawweight history.

Earlier in the lightweight bout, China's Rong Zhu was far too powerful for American Kody Steele across three rounds, with all three judges awarding him the fight 30-27.

China's Wang Cong defeated Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision in the women's flyweight.