Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko cites Miesha Tate's defeat to defend the high level of the category

V. Shevchenko at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC

Dominant champion of the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg), Valentina Shevchenko countered comments that his category has athletes of dubious level. In an interview with 'MMA Fighting', the Kyrgyz fighter mentioned the victory of Lauren Murphy about Miesha Tate No. UFC Long Island, to justify the quality of the members of their weight range.

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“This is real proof of how difficult and how strong the flyweight division is. Why Lauren Murphy, who is a competitor, she just beat a former UFC bantamweight champion. This is real proof, what else can you see?”, said Valentina.

No UFC Long Island, which took place on July 16th, the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg) Miesha Tate, decided to move down the category and faced the former challenger Lauren Murphy. The veteran had a good start to the confrontation, but, soon after, she was dominated by her rival and was defeated by unanimous decision from the judges,

Absolute champion of the division and with seven consecutive defenses, Valentina has been etching her name in the history of the sport and consolidating herself as one of the greatest of all time in women's MMA. The fighter from Kyrgyzstan has a record of 23 triumphs and three setbacks in the sport.