Valentina Shevchenko defends the women’s flyweight championship Saturday at UFC 285 against Alexa Grasso.
A win will mark the 10th consecutive victory for Shevchenko (23–3) as she continues to carve her name even higher on the list of all-time great UFC fighters.
But even though the attention should be on Shevchenko’s upcoming bout against Grasso, that has been deflected by the impressive performance of rising contender Erin Blanchfield.
The 23-year-old Blanchfield has won all five of her UFC fights, most recently submitting Jéssica Andrade, and she wants the next title shot after UFC 285.
Shevchenko has won 12 of her 14 fights in the UFC. The only two losses were suffered against Amanda Nunes, and she continues to find new ways to break her opponents. Shevchenko has successfully executed a takedown on every opponent she has faced in the UFC, illustrating the thoroughly impressive manner in which she constantly seizes control of her fights.
With victory so commonplace in Shevchenko’s life, it is as though Blanchfield’s words amused the reigning champion.
“It’s fun to see these young athletes speak out,” says Shevchenko, responding to Blanchfield’s undeterred confidence. “She has five fights experience [in the UFC]. That’s nothing. That’s not traveling to other countries or competing against their best. I remember Maycee Barber, she said something similar about beating everyone and becoming champion. But once a person deals with struggles, it can either break them or build their confidence.
“Let’s not forget that Jéssica took the fight on one week’s notice. She beat her, but was that Jéssica’s best? Doubtful.”
Shevchenko could have been more pointed in her criticism of Blanchfield, yet instead laid out facts. The mere idea of trash talk is beneath Shevchenko, who allows her actions to speak for themselves in the way in which she competes.
“I have no time for anything else but training and hard sparring,” says Shevchenko, 34. “I’m celebrating 30 years as a martial artist. I have a true dedication to the art. When I am true to martial arts, I am true to myself.”
The best of Shevchenko will be on display Saturday. Grasso is an extremely talented striker, but she is bound to struggle once Shevchenko brings her to the ground.
“I’m a complete martial artist. I don’t rely on one technique,” says Shevchenko. “I have high expectations and I cannot disappoint myself. But it all starts with me controlling my own thoughts. I always remain strong, and I am always pushing myself to be better. There are still a lot of ways for me to be better.”
Despite Shevchenko’s brilliance, her fight at 285 will be overshadowed by the highly anticipated return of Jon Jones. That will not, however, prevent Shevchenko from putting on an all-time great performance. She is looking to make her eighth successful defense of the flyweight title, which would tie a mark that Jon Jones set as light heavyweight champion. If she is victorious, only Georges St-Pierre (nine consecutive title defenses), Anderson Silva (10), and Demetrious Johnson (11) would remain in front of her.
With each victory, Shevchenko’s legend grows. Her dominance is inspirational, and she hopes a hallmark of her success is that more young women will compete in MMA.
“The highest accomplishment for any fighter is to influence the younger generation,” says Shevchenko. “That makes me more than pleased, watching young girls compete in martial arts. This isn’t just a sport. It is a lifestyle.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
