LAS VEGAS – Valentina Shevchenko is “new” again.
For the first time in over a year-and-a-half, Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) holds title gold – something that was a familiar feeling for the years prior to her UFC 285 loss to Alexa Grasso in March 2023.
“It was my third fight with Alexa and I don’t know, I just feel so different, so powerful, so strong – even better than I was a few years ago,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “This strength, I just felt it through my veins, through everything. I think it’s something good for a fighter. If you’re not evolving, it’s kind of like, ‘OK, it’s time for retirement.’ But if you feel strong and powerful and continue to do these hard things that you are doing but you love it, this is kind of what’s important. Rest – it doesn’t matter.”
