Valentina Shevchenko is ready to avenge her loss against Alexa Grasso.
In March of this year, Grasso shocked the world by securing a fourth-round submission win against Shevchenko to become the UFC women’s flyweight champion. The loss for ‘Bullet’ ended her nine-fight win streak, giving the 35-year-old added motivation to regain her throne.
On September 16, Shevchenko and Grasso will headline Noche UFC in an intriguing rematch that could go either way.
Before returning to the Octagon, ‘Bullet’ did an interview with James Lynch for LowKick MMA and discussed various topics. She was asked about potentially prioritizing anything during training after her latest loss and responded by saying:
“I am a complete MMA fighter. I have to focus on everything in terms to win the most, win the best, do the best of me. I cannot focus on only one thing [in training] because then in the fight something is changed and I’m not prepared. No, the fighter who fights high-level competition needs to work on everything.”
Shevchenko was later asked about her prediction for the Noche UFC main event:
“I go there for the victory. I go there to destroy my opponent…I go there not to joke around. I go there to take what is mine and show not the best version but the greatest version of me.”
Valentina Shevchenko reflects on returning to Thailand before Alexa Grasso rematch
Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand has been a significant factor in Valentina Shevchenko’s evolution as a fighter. After losing against Alexa Grasso, Shevchenko returned to Thailand and embraced the intense training atmosphere.
During the same interview with James Lynch, Shevchenko had this to say about what she gained from returning to Thailand:
“It’s kind of like the same when you are going back to the place where you were kind of growing up. You are remembering your feelings when you were on this journey to become the best, to become the greatest. Definitely all of these emotions wake you up, and say, ok, this is what you have to feel, this is what you have to do.”
Shevchenko continued by reiterating her confidence:
“I can’t say this is the only thing I feel. I know exactly who I am. I know exactly how strong I am. I know exactly how dangerous I can be. I just made all of these terms even more stronger.”
Alexa Grasso changed her life forever by defeating Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285. With that said, she must be ready for a war on September 16. There’s a possibility Shevchenko wasn’t as motivated due to dominating the division, which will change after her latest loss.
Only time will tell if Grasso can retain her title and secure another massive win on Mexican Independence Day.
#UFCNoche pic.twitter.com/wvHUXrwlaJ
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 2, 2023
