Despite a Split Decision Win, Valentina Shevchenko Will Not Rematch Taila Santos Next as Erin Blanchfield Makes Flyweight Bout Announcement

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko had her toughest fight as a champion against Brazilian contender Taila Santos. After their unexpectedly competitive bout, a rematch appeared as the next step for both fighters. However, the UFC recently announced a pivotal 125 lbs contest for Taila Santos, but it is not against ‘The Bullet’. This perhaps leaves a mark on the longest-reigning women’s champion for avoiding the most competitive contest available in the division. Chiefly when there are no other clear-cut contenders for the UFC women’s pound-for-pound queen. That said, the frustrated Santos will probably take this chance to make a statement and secure her shot at the title. But she has a formidable young opponent in her path.

Top contender Erin Blanchfield announced on the World MMA Award-winning show Morning Kombat that she will soon face the former title challenger Taila Santos. Speaking with hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, the 23-year-old fighter said, “I have signed some contracts already… I signed a new four-fight deal & I signed to fight Taila Santos.”

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The surprising matchup sets Blanchfield for a major step against the top of the division against Santos; who is riding high on confidence and even took a shot at the champion for not signing on the dotted lines prior to this booking.

Taila Santos accused Valentina Shevchenko of running from a rematch

While “Bullet” has made all her challengers look amateur in front of her, Santos showed the champion had no answers when the bout hit the mat. Taking this as an example, the Brazilian went after the 125 lbs champion, during an interview with MMA Fighting Santos said, “I’ve been saying for a while she [Valentina Shevchenko] has no ground game. I showed that there was no reason to fear.” The 19-2 fighter added, “I knew she wouldn’t accept a rematch after that fight.”

Her prediction came true; Perhaps Shevchenko declined to fight against her, or perhaps the champion never received an official call to face the 29-year-old Brazilian fighter, who took the dominant champ to a split decision. What went down behind the doors might never come out, but the blockbuster contest will definitely determine the next challenger for the Kyrgyzstan-born champion. That said, there are rumors of a Mexico card in the second quarter of 2023 and if that’s the case, Alexa Grasso could get the next title shot, considering Manon Fiorot will be out of injury.

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What do you make of this matchup between Taila Santos & Erin Blanchfield? Did Valentina Shevchenko purposely avoid the Taila Santos rematch? Share your views in the comments below.