A women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Taila Santos is taking place now (Saturday, June 11, 2022) at UFC 275.
Round 1
Shevchenko with an early leg kick. She attempts a superman punch soon after. Shevchenko counters as Santos comes forward. Santos sees a leg kick checked. Shevchenko misses a spinning back kick. Santos blitzes forward but Shevchenko clinches her up against the fence. Shevchenko lands knees and shoulder strikes. Shevchenko tries to take her down but fails with the attempt as Santos takes her back! Santos is looking to sink in the rear naked choke but Shevchenko is fighting it. Shevchenko starts to land strikes from a vulnerable position. Santos misses her opportunity as Shevchenko survives the round.
Round 2
Shevchenko is aggressive early. She lands a one two. They clinch up as Santos looks for a takedown. Santos takes her down with a nice trip! Shevchenko is active off her back, though, and almost sinks in an omoplata. Santos is not active enough in Shevchenko’s guard and the referee stands them up. Santos looks to clinch but Shevchenko gets her down with a judo throw. However, Santos scrambles and is back in Shevchenko’s guard. Santos lands an elbow before the round ends.
Round 3
Santos doesn’t have her mouthguard on. The action resumes soon after. Shevchenko catches Santos with a counter right as the latter blitzes in. Santos with a leg kick. Shevchenko returns with her own. Shevchenko lands a spinning back kick to the body. Shevchenko takes Santos down with a body lock but Santos gets back to her feet. They clinch up again. Santos gets another takedown and has just under two minutes to work on her back. She sinks in the rear naked choke! However, Shevchenko continues to fight it. She survives the round again.
Round 4
Shevchenko and Santos have a clash of heads which appeared to have occurred during round three. Shevchenko is aggressive early and lands some big kicks. The action is stopped because of an accidental groin kick on Santos. Santos is experiencing a lot of swelling on her right eye. Shevchenko lands a big left. Santos responds with a leg kick. Shevcheno connects with a body kick. Shevchenko with a blitz that ends in a high kick. This isa much better round from Shevchenko as Santos remains compromised with her right eye. Shevcheno lands a one two as Santos push kicks her. Santos times a takedown perfectly to end the round.
Round 5
Shevchenko connects with a body kick. She connects with a combination that forces Santos to shoot. Santos scrambles but Shevchenko gets to her feet. Shevchenko now goes for the takedown. She controls Santos for the rest of the fight and we go to the judges.
Official Result: Valentina Shevchenko defeats Taila Santos via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46).
