As fight week for UFC 322 unfolds in New York, Valentina Shevchenko remains as composed as ever. While fans call her upcoming bout against Zhang Weili one of the biggest women’s fights in UFC history, the reigning flyweight champion is focused less on the hype and more on her inner rhythm.
The 37-year-old Kyrgyz striker will defend her title in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, where Zhang, the former strawweight queen, has vacated her own belt to chase two-division glory. The fight marks Shevchenko’s ninth title defense across two reigns and potentially her 11th career championship victory, a number that would tie Amanda Nunes’ all-time record.
Valentina Shevchenko on her mindset for a blockbuster showdown with Zhang Weili 🏆#UFC322 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/iNghI1uxN6
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 13, 2025
“Not Without Emotion, But With Steady Energy”
For Shevchenko, the days before the fight are about finding calm in the chaos. While emotions run high in training camp, she says the key to peak performance lies in steady, deliberate control.
“Not have emotion during the fight week, because it’s impossible to not have any emotion during training camp,” Shevchenko said during UFC 322 media day. “Training camp is a long time, and you have all roller coasters when you cannot sleep during the night, you think about the fight, you’re analyzing all the fights of your opponent. It’s work; it’s hard work.
“But close to the fight, this is what I mean: not without emotions but with steady energy. This is the most important for me — steady energy.”
Studying, Not Admiring
While Zhang enters the matchup riding a five-fight winning streak that includes three title defenses, Shevchenko refuses to get caught up in her opponent’s reputation. The long-reigning champion treats preparation like a tactical study rather than a contest of personalities.
“When I approach to my opponents and see their fights, it’s not about being impressed or something like that,” Shevchenko explained. “It’s just cold-minded study. You see what she’s good at, you see what she’s bad at, and you have to know where to be careful, where to be focused, what to avoid, and what to use to get the victory, to get the early finish.”
Having once competed at bantamweight, Shevchenko’s size and strength could prove decisive, but she insists that every fight starts from a blank slate. Zhang’s athleticism and relentless pace will test her experience, and for Valentina, that’s part of the thrill.
Now entering her 15th year under the UFC banner, Shevchenko’s dominance remains a benchmark for women’s MMA. From her tactical brilliance to her disciplined composure, the champion continues to prove why she’s one of the sport’s most consistent forces.
For her, the secret hasn’t changed — it’s not rage, not hype, not emotion. It’s energy, steady and focused, the kind that lasts through the final round.
“This the most important for me,” Shevchenko repeated, pausing before a small smile.
“Steady energy.”
Valentina Shevchenko has made it clear that a return to bantamweight isn’t something she’s considering — unless it involves Amanda Nunes. The reigning flyweight champion admitted that Nunes remains the only opponent who could motivate her to move back up in weight.
“For a long time, (Nunes) was the only reason why I would return to 135 (pounds),” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. “It was just one name, unfinished business what I had with Amanda. When she retired, I lost interest for that.”
Shevchenko went on to acknowledge the growing rumors of Nunes’ comeback, though she’s unsure how much truth there is to it. “Now, let’s see,” she continued. “The rumor is that she’s un-retired, but let’s see if it’s a reality.”
