Valentina Shevchenko is not worried by any new looks she might be getting in her third UFC title defense.
The flyweight champion is scheduled to defend her belt in February in the co-main event of UFC 247 in Houston, Texas. Shevchenko (18-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who’s proven to be one of the most technical competitors in the game, will be taking on Katlyn Chookagian – a fighter who carved her way to title contention with movement and volume striking.
Chookagian has said in the buildup that she brings unique skills to the table that will challenge the champion in ways never before seen. Shevchenko believes Chookagian’s claims to be just part of the routine of defending her UFC belt.
“No offense to Katlyn, but all my opponents, everyone, they were thinking before they face me that I didn’t face no one with their style,” Shevchenko said at the UFC 247 press conference Friday in Las Vegas. “This is the point. Katlyn, she’s a well-rounded fighter, good striker and she says she knows ground game. But, it’s fine. It’s OK. I hope that she will bring everything for her, because this is what I want from the fighter, this is what I want from the opponent.
“And what I’m going to do is dominate the fight the same way. I will prepare myself in the best shape and do the great job, as this is my mindset. Not to go to the fight just to have fun. No. Only to win. Only the victory is what’s important for me.”
Shevchenko has only lost twice in her four-year UFC career. Both losses came at 135 pounds to UFC featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in what many considered close bouts.
