Valentina Shevchenko defended her UFC flyweight title after landing crucifix elbows on Jessica Andrade to seal the game at UFC 261.
After winning the vacant title against Joanna Jendrzejczyk back in 2018, Shevchenko defeated Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Karlyn Chookagian, and Jennifer Maia and now at UFC 261, Valentina “The Bullet” Shevchenko defended her title for the fifth straight time against Jessica Andrade. Everyone thought that Jessica Andrade was going to be the one to finally dethrone her, but Valentina proved why she is still the best in the business by some margin.
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Shevchenko was clear that she wanted to take things to the ground giving Andrade no chance to land her strong punches. In round one, Shevchenko was able to score a total of five takedowns with her fourth takedown nearly leading to a rear-naked choke which Jessica did well to get out off. The second round went the same way, Shevchenko took things to the floor again. Andrade did well to get the guard and held Valentina in the clinch but for not long. The World Champion eventually was able to deliver what she was looking for. After a seventh takedown in the game, she moved to the crucifix position and landed mighty elbows which saw Jessica bleed, prompting referee Dan Miragliotta to step in and stop the fight and announce Valentina as the winner.
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In the post-match interview, UFC President Dana White praised the fighter from Kyrgyzstan. White said, “It’s almost like—tell me if this is how you felt tonight when she was fighting—like she was pissed, like, she was mad that anybody could—I love this fight, because I knew Jessica Andrade was gonna show something that she hasn’t seen yet. She was gonna be in her face, she was gonna do this, she was gonna do that. And [Shevchenko] was like a f*cking demon tonight. Pissed off that anybody believed that that was possible and she looked incredible. One of the best performances of her career.”
After another incredible defence of her title, it remains to be seen if anyone has the skill and resilience to go toe-to-toe and take down The Bullet!
[Image Credit: Valentina Shevchenko]
Shashank Iyer