Retaking her title at UFC 306 from her nemesis, Alexa Grasso, Valentina Shevchenko is now again on high of the flyweight division. Heading into 2025, the present pound-for-pound queen of ladies’s MMA will look to start one other dominant reign at 125 lbs. Nevertheless, whereas she does have a number of opponents out there to her in her weight class, the door to maneuver up and pursue additional greatness can also be there ought to she want to check herself.
Now, let’s check out who Valentina Shevchenko ought to combat subsequent.
Alexa Grasso
After teaching The Final Fighter 32 towards one another, Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso lastly confronted off of their much-anticipated trilogy bout in the co-main event of UFC 306. It was not an amazing evening for the defending champion, Grasso, who had completely no reply for the suffocating grappling type of Shevchenko. Racking up over 16 minutes of management time all through the 25-minute bout, “Bullet” simply cruised her option to a unanimous determination win, incomes good scores on all three judges’ scorecards.
Though she seemingly put her rivalry with Grasso to mattress following their conflict in Las Vegas, the door for a possible fourth combat is at all times open if these two need to settle their rivalry. Contemplating the dearth of high-profile feminine fighter trilogies within the historical past of the game, a fourth and ultimate assembly between these two world-class opponents could be a defining second within the legacy of the flyweight class.
Manon Fiorot
Using a large 12 combat profitable streak, France’s Manon Fiorot’s rise within the UFC has been nothing in need of meteoric. Defeating the who’s who of the division like Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Cerminara, Erin Blanchfield, and Rose Namajunas, “The Beast” has positioned herself as a transparent high contender for the flyweight throne.
For the primary project of her second reign, Shevchenko would undoubtedly have her palms full towards the French powerhouse. Having gone the space in her previous 5 contests (together with a essential occasion displaying), Fiorot has demonstrated an excellent fuel tank and technical hanging capability. Famend for her endurance and arise recreation as effectively, Shevchenko will likely be going through an opponent who possesses a number of the identical top-notch expertise that she has.
Julianna Peña
Throughout her first keep atop the flyweight rankings, Shevchenko amassed a sterling seven consecutive title defenses. All through most of these bouts, she confronted hardly any sort of adversity, bulldozing her well past a number of the finest 125-lb. fighters on the planet with ease. Whereas she does have some noteworthy challengers her division already lined up for her, an excellent combat with UFC Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña stands as an enormous combat to make for “Bullet.”
The final time Shevchenko fought at 135 lbs. was in a dropping try at seizing the division’s belt towards Amanda Nunes in 2017. Since then, she has improved by leaps and bounds as a martial artist, logging a legendary profession as a dominant champion. It stays to be seen how effectively she’ll compete now going ten kilos up versus a tenacious fighter like Peña, however ought to she seize that second belt, her place as an icon in fight sports activities is all however assured.
