Valentina remembers 'unrecognizable' Amanda Nunes, but highlights the Brazilian's victory against Peña at UFC 277

V. Shevchenko (left) and A. Nunes (right) faced each other on two occasions in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Ultimate flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg), Valentina Shevchenko gave his prediction for the fight for the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg), which will take place next Saturday (30), between Julianna Pena e Amanda nunes. The Kyrgyz remembered the 'unrecognizable' version of the Brazilian in the first meeting, but believes that she will see a recovery in her trajectory and will be the favorite in the rematch.

“I think Amanda (Nunes) wins. I felt like, in the last fight, she was unrecognizable. She didn't look like herself. I don't know what factors affected it - family, training period, friends at the gym or anything - but it didn't feel the same as when we faced each other. I was different in body style, mentality and focus. So, if she is the same Amanda that I know, she will win the fight”, said Valentina in an interview on 'MMA Hour'.

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Shevchenko has the right to speak on the subject. In the past, the fighter submitted Julianna for the flyweight title in 2017, in addition to promoting two balanced clashes against Amanda, which ended in victories for the Brazilian on points. A 'Bullet', however, considers that Peña has evolved and could represent a great challenge to 'Lioness'.

“It’s a fight. You never know what will happen. Julianna is a strong, furious opponent and knows how much pressure is on her now to prove that she is a true champion. She's going to prepare for the fight like crazy, just get rid of everything outside of the fight and focus on beating Amanda and getting confirmation that she is the real champion. She is a very difficult opponent, but I still think Amanda will win. But here it's a lot of 'if'. So let's see. We can say what we want, but the fight is real and it will show who is the best,” she concluded.

Amanda will have the chance to avenge her latest setback. With a professional record of 21 wins and four losses, the Lioness is seen by many as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Still the featherweight champion (up to 65.7 kg.), the Bahian seeks to regain the bantamweight title (up to 61.2 kg.) and become double Ultimate champion again.

Julianna Pena had an irregular start in the Ultimate octagon, but shocked the world by submitting the Brazilian Amanda nunes, who had been unbeatable since 2014, and win the bantamweight belt in UFC 269, in December. The current champion has a record of 11 wins and four losses in professional MMA.

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