Valentina Shevchenko isn’t pulling any punches in spite of what the internet trolls would have you believe. Not only is she unbothered by a critique of her striking power she’s pivoting into another lucrative match with Amanda Nunes.
This speculated third fight with Nunes would be happening after two tough decisions two fought to in 2016 and 2017. To Shevchenko’s credit the 2017 fight was a split decision after 5 whole rounds. The first fight was a 3 rounder that happened just after Nunes’s historic own of Ronda Rousey.
Valentina was quoted saying on The MMA Hour on Wednesday:
“I kind of feel that she’s doesn’t want too much this fight to happen,” Shevchenko said. “Because inside of herself, she feels that she was gifted the victory from our second fight. Gifted by the judges. She feels that she was beaten by the smaller girl from the smaller weight class and she is a bigger girl. It’s kind of like pressure on her from the inside.
“That’s why she kind of like says ‘I [beat] her twice,’ whatever she’s saying. But it’s kind of like this camouflages what she’s feeling for real and definitely if you was beaten by someone smaller than you by two [weight classes], it would affect you. That’s why I feel she’s kind of like ‘I don’t want that fight happening.’”
The two had kind of an interesting staredown the 2nd time they fought:
Highlights for the two fights are available to watch
The two fought at 135lbs – which is admittedly where Nunes is bound to have an edge as the champion of both 135lbs and 145lbs divisions.
Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.