Shevchenko believes Namajunas will beat Zhang, not sold on superfight
Women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is not 100% on a superfight against Weili Zhang just yet.
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is not convinced on a superfight against strawweight ruler, Weili Zhang, just yet. Not only because ‘Bullet’ has her hands full while preparing to take on Jessica Andrade at UFC 261, but also there might be a chance the Chinese champion will not rule her division for much longer.
In an interview with YouTube channel Fanatics View, Valentina pointed out how she is not against a superfight against Zhang. However, Shevchenko believes Rose Namajunas, who is challenging for Weili’s title at the same event, has a great chance of snatching the belt and ending the possibilities of the ‘Magnum’ champ vs. champ match.
“I don’t want to rush it yet, because I still believe Rose is going to beat her,” Shevchenko said. “I still believe in it. If it happens this way, there’s no more talk. Let’s see what’s going to happen on that night.
“I’ll take a look at that fight,” Shevchenko continued. “If Weili wants to, okay, you’re welcome. I don’t see any problems in fighting you. I totally understand her fight game, what she’s like as a fighter. It’s just I’m going through a massive preparation, doing a training camp to do my best in the fight (against Jessica Andrade). So let’s see what’s going to happen. Let’s see how that fight will turn out.”
Currently on a six-fight winning streak, Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) successfully defended her title for the third time back in November 2020, when she defeated Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision. Before that, Bullet also picked up wins over notable names, such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Liz Carmouche, among others. The 33-year-old’s last loss happened in September 2017, when she dropped a split decision to Amanda Nunes.
Now, Valentina Shevchenko is expected to take on Jessica Andrade at UFC 261’s co-main event, on April 24, at the UFC Apex, in Las Vegas. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a strawweight title fight between champion Weili Zhang and former title-holder Rose Namajunas.