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Valentina Shevchenko not worried about fulfilling expectations as huge favorite vs. Nicco Montano

DALLAS – Valentina Shevchenko is aware she’s a massive favorite heading into a title fight with UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano. And with that comes certain expectations.

But Shevchenko (15-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) won’t forget she’s still got a job to do when they meet in the co-headliner of Saturday’s UFC 228. For those expecting her to destroy Montano (4-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), she offers words of caution.

“It’s never like this, because I know I have to win the fight,” Shevchenko told reporters Wednesday at media day in support of the pay-per-view fight from American Airlines Center. “Of course, I will do everything to finish it sooner. But from my side, I will do everything. I will be myself.

“And I know if you rush too much, it can end very bad. I just, my work, it’s to see timing and react according to the movement of my opponent. So, this is it. I know exactly what people are expecting from me. They want a beautiful fight, and I will show them.”

If a beautiful fight means a full five rounds with the champ, then so be it. Shevchenko feels like she’s where she’s meant to be, so she has no concerns about a longer fight. And unlike her previous bantamweight division, where she failed in her lone title bid last year against Amanda Nunes, Shevchenko doesn’t have to worry about the effect of her opponent’s weight.

“I don’t have to adjust for someone bigger, heavier,” she said. “I will be myself and show everything that I know.”

To hear more from Shevchenko, watch her full open workout scrum in the video above.

And for more on UFC 228, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

UFC free fight: Charles Oliveira rallies to light up Michael Chandler for first title win

Charles Oliveira proved he had championship mettle when he battled through some early adversity against Michael Chandler. Oliveira faced Chandler for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 262 in May 2021. It took “Do Bronx” 28 octagon appearances to earn his first-career title shot. Round...

Javier Mendez disagrees with Daniel Cormier’s claim that Islam Makhachev more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov

For Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev is more skilled than Khabib Nurmagomedov but not more dangerous. Daniel Cormier, who also trained under Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy, said UFC lightweight champion Makhachev is even more dangerous than former champ Nurmagomedov was during his prime. Mendez heavily disagrees. “OK, he’s more...

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