EXCLUSIVE: Valentina Shevchenko Explains Requirements To Fight Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes Winner

For Shevchenko, a lot of things have to happen in order for her to face the winner of Pena's rematch with Nunes.

Shevchenko
(via @bulletvalentina - Instagram)

For Valentina Shevchenko, things have to be perfect if she is to move back up to bantamweight.

The UFC women’s flyweight queen is coming off a close split decision victory over Taila Santos at UFC 275 last month.

It was the most that “Bullet” had ever been tested in the division with many even believing Santos did enough to become the new 125-pound champion.

There’s naturally an interest in the rematch, but for now, Santos is on the sidelines as she recovers from her surgery for a broken orbital bone.

So in the meantime, would Shevchenko move up and face the winner of the UFC 277 headliner between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes which takes place July 30?

Only if the circumstances are right.

“I think a lot of things has to be perfect for that fight,” Shevchenko told Middle Easy. “A lot of circumstances have to come in the perfect point, place, timing, details and everything. More especially, I have to think about building my muscles. Higher, bigger, stronger and make it right without losing my speed and then to think about how to make it smaller so it’s a lot of changes I have to deal with.

“As I mentioned, everything has to be perfect for that fight to happen. Right now, I consider my next fight in flyweight. But I thinking in the future, let’s see what they will do July 30, let’s see what will happen.”

Valentina Shevchenko: Joanna Jedrezejczyk Should Be In The HoF

Shevchenko, of course, has faced Nunes twice — both in losing efforts — while she holds a win over the current 135-pound champion in Pena.

Another fighter Shevchenko has faced is Joanna Jedrezejczyk, who recently retired following her knockout defeat to Weili Zhang at UFC 275.

Shevchenko notably outpointed Jedrezejczyk to become the flyweight champion and the pair remain friends to this day.

And as far as Shevchenko is concerned, Jedrezejczyk should be in the UFC Hall of Fame.

“She had an amazing career. She has so many successful title defenses in strawweight,” Shevchenko added. “She’s the queen of strawweights, who formed the weight class. The face of this weight class and she definitely is an amazing fighter. I think she deserves to be in the Hall of Fame of the UFC.

“… If she feels comfortable the way she did to be retired and focus on other things, and she feels good, happy — this is the most important. I think everything what happened happened for a reason and if a person inside feels happy and successful, and this is what they wanted, this is right.”

You can watch the full interview below:

Published on July 20, 2022 at 7:39 pm
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