Valentina Shevchenko couldn’t assist, however chuckle after studying of Alexa Grasso’s recommendation to her.
Earlier than defending her flyweight championship towards ‘Bullet’ within the first-ever ladies’s trilogy bout in UFC historical past on September 14, Grasso provided a phrase of recommendation to her opponent, suggesting that if Shevchenko hopes to take again the 125-pound title, she’ll want to maneuver ahead and ramp up the aggression, fairly than sitting again for 25 minutes.
“She has a method the place she waits an excessive amount of,” Grasso advised MMA Junkie. “She’s simply going again and again and again. I don’t suppose that’s (concept). If you wish to get your belt again, I don’t suppose that’s the best way to do this. “If you’d like the belt you must go for it. I’d love that.
“I like to trade. I like battles. However she has a preventing type the place she’s going again, again, again – I’m unsure that’s going to work.”
Studying of Grasso’s feedback, Shevchenko was nothing wanting amused.
“So she is planning to safe her victory, she will not be planning to go ahead? That is what she mentioned?” Shevchenko mentioned in her personal interview with MMA Junkie whereas listening to the soundbyte from Grasso. “So she’s going to be on her facet of the Octagon anticipating me to be on my facet? That’s hilarious. Oh my God.”
UFC 306 will the the third consecutive assembly between Grasso and Shevchenko. Their first conflict got here in March 2023 when Grasso surprised the MMA group with a fourth-round submission victory over ‘Bullet’ to convey the flyweight belt again house to Mexico.
Six months later, they’d run it again at Noche UFC in Las Vegas. This time round, they’d go the total 5 rounds, however little can be completed as the competition was controversially dominated a break up draw after choose Mike Bell by some means noticed match to attain the ultimate spherical 10-8 in favor of Grasso.
“Wanting on the second battle, our second battle, it was a draw,” Shevchenko mentioned. “However it was the identical precise technique, with the identical precise techniques, I secured the victory if it hadn’t been for the error and error of the choose (Mike Bell). He’s very, very bizarre motion what he did. So everybody might really feel that I gained the battle. I did sufficient to win the battle. It was surprising for the individuals seeing {that a} choose can do these issues. It was bizarre. Figuring out that my technique is working, I don’t have intentions to alter something.
“I’m simply going to convey my spirit. I’m going to convey my energy and my velocity and I’m going to convey my expertise to the battle. The No. 1 aim what I’ve to do on this battle is be myself. I don’t must play somebody’s recreation. This isn’t what makes you champion. Champion is who’s taking part in their very own recreation. I don’t care what everyone seems to be saying. I’m going to win the battle. I do know for positive.”
Valentina Shevchenko decided to maintain the judges out of her UFC 306 co-main occasion
Although she is aware of it will likely be no simple activity, Shevchenko has no intention of permitting their third battle to go to the judges, particularly after leaving empty-handed final 12 months.
“Each time I look ahead, however each time it’s not doable to complete the battle, particularly when you’re preventing with a top-level opponent,” Shevchenko mentioned. “You may end the battle very simply when the extent between you and your opponent have a niche, however after we are talking about UFC and the top-level competitors, generally it’s more durable. However this was our main aim in the course of the coaching camp, to complete the battle.
“I really feel nice. I really feel sturdy and my cardio is wonderful. I’m simply going to go there and provides the individuals an incredible battle. That is the aim. I’m not nervous about the rest. Simply give this battle and make this battle the very best battle of my life.”
