Valentina Shevchenko is arguably the most dominant champion on the entire UFC roster, but that kind of reputation can also serve as a double-edged sword.
She’s nearly trampled every contender thrown at her since claiming the flyweight title, but despite being an overwhelming favorite in her most recent outing, Shevchenko had to eke out a split decision to hold onto her belt in a battle with Taila Santos.
As she prepares for her fight with Alexa Grasso, UFC 285, Shevchenko suddenly starts to hear that maybe she has lost a step or the rest of her flyweight division may be catching up.
” I don’t really care about what people say,” Shevchenko said to MMA Fighting. “I know exactly what happened. The most important what has happened is inside me. I know that I’m not losing anything. I’m still the same person. I’m still the same motivated [person] and I’m still the same shape, even better shape. No matter what the battle, no matter how hard it is, I’ll find a way for me to win. No matter who is in front of me, I will be the winner no matter what. This is the truth.
“No. 1, what I care, is what I think, what is important to me. What people think, they can think whatever. I cannot put in their heads and say what they have to say. So many people, so many opinions. One thinks like that, another thinks like that. My experience teaches me the only one important person has to be, it’s your internal feeling. I know that everything is right. That’s amazing.”
Shevchenko faced a similar reaction after she dropped a round to Jennifer Maia back in 2020 in another fight where she was a heavy favorite to win.
As if she was out to prove a point, the 34-year-old veteran from Kyrgyzstan then demolished her next two opponents with TKO finishes over Jessica Andrade and Lauren Murphy.
Maybe it will be the same with Grasso this Saturday. But then again, maybe not.
Shevchenko knows she won’t always dominate her opposition, especially in the UFC.
” This is martial arts, and we’re referring to the highest level of competition,” Shevchenko stated. “If we would go and fight in other promotions with lower quality of fighters, yeah, definitely, it will be every fight a knockout or a submission or whatever.
“But we are speaking about the highest, about the top, and it’s different. While the fight is important, what is really important is your ability to deal with all of this pressure .”
Pressure is an interesting word when it comes to Shevchenko, because just as much as she doesn’t care if there are people suddenly doubting her, she’s also not thinking much about the records she’s already set during her career or the ones she could break in the future.
Shevchenko will defend her title against Grasso for the eighth time, which places her three short of Demetrious Johnson (11).’s all-time record. Shevchenko is already in rarified air. However, even Shevchenko didn’t know she was so close to Johnson’s record until asked.
“I don’t know. Shevchenko stated that 11, is how many years more I need to fight. “Demetrious Johnson, he is an amazing fighter, and when I think about a complete fighter, a MMA fighter, I know his name is No. 1 on my mind. His speed, his technique, his power, everything, it’s just perfect.
” It’s amazing to see all the 11 defenses of titles. That was something I didn’t even think of. I just want to stay champion for a long time, defend my belt, and never think about numbers. The numbers will follow .”
if I am champion for a prolonged time.
If there is one thing Shevchenko wants, it’s the UFC’s second title. Shevchenko could also return to bantamweight to fight Amanda Nunes.
It wasn’t that long ago that a trilogy between the two champions seemed very realistic, but then Nunes lost to Julianna Pena and had to win back her title while Shevchenko just continued taking out top contenders at flyweight.
Now, Shevchenko is approaching her next fight at 125 pound and she promises Nunes she doesn’t forget about them, even though talks have slowed down recently about possible matchups.
“It was only because the fight it was so close and controversial that so many people were still talking about it,” Shevchenko said. “Now that time has passed, people are kind of moving on, but I am not discarding that opportunity.
“I still think it’s going to happen, and even better when it happens at the right time, the right place, and the right circumstances. I know for sure when it happens, it’s going to be super huge for female MMA. It’s going to be a big fight. We’ll wait to see what happens .”
Shevchenko has made it clear that she won’t be going anywhere, no matter if there’s another fight at flyweight.
” Martial arts are my life,” Shevchenko stated. It’s more than just about competition. It is who I am. It’s how I live my daily life.
“For me, the most important assignment what comes, it’s not about the person or the opponent or money or something else. How do I navigate this maelstrom of martial arts? It’s amazing how much I love it. I really enjoy it because I am a martial artist since day No. 1.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/4/23617581/valentina-shevchenko-isnt-losing-step-split-decision-i-really-dont-care-what-people-are-saying?rand=96749
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