CHICAGO – Valentina Shevchenko has no problem digesting her status as one of the biggest favorites in UFC title fight history.
Shevchenko (16-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) puts her women’s flyweight title on the line Saturday against Eye (14-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) in the UFC 238 co-headliner, and the challenger is marked as a colossal underdog. That scenario has historically applied lots of pressure on the favorite, but “Bullet” doesn’t seem fazed.
“My motivation is every time when I step in the octagon, this is my motivation,” Shevchenko told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC 238 open workouts. “In general when I step in the octagon, I’m not here to enjoy or have fun. I’m here to win the fight and keep the belt for a long time, as long a time as I can. For me, this is my motivation for martial arts.”
UFC 238 takes place at United Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
Shevchenko said the odds don’t give her extra confidence going into fight night. The champion has too much combat sports experience through MMA, kickboxing and muay-Thai to slip like that, especially since she just won UFC gold in December.
Eye might be heavily doubted going into the UFC 238, but Shevchenko said there’s nothing that will catch her off guard.
“I’m ready for everything,” Shevchenko said. “I’m ready for whatever she will bring. She’s telling everyone where she will push in or she will pressure, but it doesn’t matter for me. I’ve faced so many different kinds of opponents.”
For more on UFC 238, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
