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LONDON – Jennifer Maia is happy to see contemporary blood on the prime of the UFC ladies’s flyweight division after Alexa Grasso’s title upset of Valentina Shevchenko earlier this month.
That mentioned, former title challenger Maia (20-9-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC) doesn’t suppose the brand new champion represents the highest fighter within the weight class as she enters a key bout with Casey O’Neill (9-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 286. The occasion takes place at The O2 in London with a predominant card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
“I used to be very proud of Grasso’s win,” Maia advised MMA Junkie and different reporters via an interpreter at UFC 286 media day on Wednesday. “It shakes issues up regardless that we nonetheless consider Valentina’s the easiest one within the weight class.”
Maia thinks the turnover of the belt provides a lift of motivation for fighters like herself, who’re making an attempt to climb the ranks into one other alternative to compete for gold.
The matchup with O’Neill is a key alternative for the Brazilian, who will function the most important problem thus far for the undefeated O’Neill. She intends to learn how good she actually is.
“I believe the most important distinction is she’s a well-rounded fighter,” Maia mentioned. “She will be able to stand, she will be able to grapple – she’s very, very devoted to her craft. However the greatest distinction is I’ve much more expertise combating nice fighters than she does, and that’s going to play an element.
“Beating her would give me two victories in a row, which regardless nonetheless places me near go up within the rankings and have one other title shot.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 286.
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