V. Shevchenko (left) fighting against A. Nunes (right). Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @ufc_europe
The Kyrgyz, Valentina Shevchenko, to this day she is known as the athlete who imposed the greatest difficulties on the reign of Amanda nunes, started in 2016. With a fight in 2017, the Brazilian found it difficult to beat the challenger and emerged victorious in the judges' split decision. The result is still contested today by the current flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg) and some MMA enthusiasts. In an interview with 'Combate', Valentina spoke about her desire to try to end Bahia's hegemony.
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“We fought for five rounds, I think I was the closest fight she (Amanda) ever had, and I still won. We have our history, we fought twice (once in 2016 and once in 2017). The last fight especially, if it had happened when I was already the flyweight champion, I would certainly have walked away with the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg) too”, said Shevchenko, who insisted. “I doubt that today the result would have been the same, because, at that time, the judges didn't have much knowledge about me, and they favored Amanda because she was the champion. But our third fight has already been promoted, it's something the fans want to see. It's something that doesn't just depend on me or her. It’s something that will happen one day, and I’ll be ready”, said Valentina.
The Kyrgyzstani definitely found her footing in the sport after choosing to play in the flyweight division. In the lower category, the fighter has stood out for convincing performances and put on real shows in her belt defenses.
With each victory, Valentina has shown herself as an athlete who can put on a great show in a new battle against Nunes, who has beaten all the rivals placed in front of her.
Shevchenko, however, guarantees that, at the moment, he is not thinking about Nunes. The flyweight champion is focused on her newest fight, when the Kyrgyzstani exchanges forces against Katlyn chookagian in one of the main fights of the UFC 247, which takes place on February 8, in the United States.
“I don't know when this third fight with Amanda would happen, because right now I'm focused on my category. I waited so long, and today I can finally compete in my natural weight division with opponents of the same size. For now, I want to continue making history in my division, and that's why it's difficult to think about Amanda right now. But I know this fight will happen one day,” she concluded.
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