“I Don’t Look at My Opponent and Prepare”- Valentina Shevchenko Opens up on Upcoming Flyweight Title Defense

Valentina Shevchenko is the current women’s flyweight champion. She is also the #3 ranked pound for pound female fighter in the UFC. ‘Bullet’ has been terrorizing the flyweight division for a while now. She will aim to defend her belt for the fourth time against Jennifer Maia. 

Thus far Shevchenko has been able to put away her opponents fairly easily however, Jennifer Maia is as tough as they come and will pose a big threat to Valentina’s title. With a little over three weeks for her fourth title defense, ‘Bullet’ gave her thoughts on her upcoming opponent.

Read: “It Doesn’t make sense” Valentina Shevchenko surprised with recent pound-for-pound rankings

Valentina Shevchenko analyses her upcoming match against Jennifer Maia 

‘Bullet’ was initially supposed to fight Joanne Calderwood at UFC 251. However, Valentina suffered an injury, and the UFC opted to reschedule the fight.

Joanne Calderwood accepted a fight against Jennifer Maia in August this year in preparation for her fight against ‘Bullet’ However, things did not go to plan as Maia submitted Calderwood in the very round of the fight to seal her title shot with Shevchenko. 

Read: WATCH: Jennifer Maia Stuns Joanne Calderwood With a Crazy Armbar to Set up Title Fight With Valentina Shevchenko

Shevchenko’s last fight was a title defense against Katlyn Chookagian in February this year. At UFC 247 ‘Bullet’ stopped Chookagian in the third round to seal her third title defense. 

‘Bullet’ has looked seemingly unstoppable and a class above the rest at flyweight. However, Maia has the skill and the experience to pose a serious threat to one of the most dominant title reigns. Is Shevchenko right in not looking at her opponent and preparing specifically for her?