Dominant Shevchenko Eyes Bantamweight Gold or Flyweight Contenders Post-UFC 322 Triumph

Valentina Shevchenko, widely considered the most dominant female fighter in mixed martial arts, has indicated an openness to exploring a move to the bantamweight division to pursue a second UFC title, potentially against Kayla Harrison or a returning Amanda Nunes, while also acknowledging compelling challenges within her established flyweight domain. The declaration follows her masterful performance at UFC 322 on Saturday evening, where she secured her ninth consecutive UFC flyweight title defense, defeating former strawweight champion Zhang Weili by unanimous decision.

The highly anticipated superfight, billed by many as potentially the greatest women’s MMA bout in history, unfolded with Shevchenko showcasing an unexpected level of dominance. Entering the contest against a formidable opponent known for her striking power and aggressive style, Shevchenko swept the judges’ scorecards, a feat that even surprised the champion herself. The unanimous 50-45 verdicts from all three judges underscored the comprehensive nature of her victory, extending her unparalleled reign over the flyweight division.

In her post-fight press conference, Shevchenko reflected on the intensity of her preparation and the outcome of the bout. "I was preparing for a war," Shevchenko stated, elaborating on the physical toll she anticipated. "I even took all my anti-inflammatory pills with me because I didn’t know how I was going to walk out of the octagon. But I feel that as a training camp, and all training that I did in preparation for this fight, it was so hard that it helped me to have a less hard fight. But it was not something that I felt like, ‘Oh, it’s going to be easy,’ something like that."

The Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian champion emphasized the significance of the victory not just for its outcome, but for the arduous journey leading up to it. "The victory over someone like Weili, it means a lot," she continued. "And it’s not only about the fight, but the preparation for the fight. It was one of the largest, longest, and hardest training camps I ever had. Especially, I felt this morning, I woke up and had the feeling that I just fought in Montreal, and now I have to do it again. It’s so back-to-back for me because training never stopped, and training camp never stopped. That’s why it’s very important. This victory is very important for me." This insight into her rigorous regimen highlighted the dedication required to maintain her elite status against top-tier competition.

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The win against Zhang Weili marked Shevchenko’s ninth successful defense of her UFC flyweight championship, setting a new record for the most title defenses by a woman in UFC history. This achievement places her in an elite echelon of mixed martial arts champions, moving her to fifth all-time on the overall UFC title defense list, alongside legendary figures such as Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva. Her consistent ability to overcome increasingly challenging contenders further solidified her standing atop the women’s pound-for-pound rankings and significantly bolstered her argument for being recognized as the greatest female fighter of all time. Her reign, which began in December 2018 after defeating Joanna Jędrzejczyk for the vacant title, has been characterized by dominant performances across striking, grappling, and cage control, establishing a benchmark for excellence in the sport.

Following such a landmark victory, discussions quickly shifted to Shevchenko’s next strategic career move. The possibility of moving up to the bantamweight division to pursue a second championship, an ambition frequently discussed by multi-divisional champions, emerged as a prominent topic. Two names dominated the conversation as potential adversaries in a higher weight class: Kayla Harrison, the undefeated two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and reigning PFL champion, and Amanda Nunes, the former two-division UFC champion who recently announced plans for a potential return to competition next year, with a possible bout against Harrison already being discussed.

Shevchenko expressed her consideration for a move to bantamweight. "I think it’s one of the possibilities, and I consider that," she affirmed. However, she indicated a pragmatic approach to her immediate future, prioritizing recovery. "For now, I want to take care of injuries that I have, that [have been] kind of migrating from training camp to training camp with me [laughs]. But after maybe a week or something like that, we will have our conversation with my team and my coach, and decide what’s next." This methodical approach underscores her commitment to long-term performance and health.

The prospect of a third fight with Amanda Nunes holds particular historical significance for Shevchenko and long-time MMA fans. The two combatants have a storied rivalry, having previously met twice in the bantamweight division. Their first encounter in March 2016 at UFC 196 saw Nunes secure a unanimous decision victory. The highly anticipated rematch, fought for the bantamweight title at UFC 215 in September 2017, resulted in a controversial split decision in favor of Nunes, a bout many observers felt could have gone either way. This history fuels the narrative of "unfinished business" that Shevchenko alluded to.

"I would say probably fans would love to see Amanda trilogy because it was unfinished business," Shevchenko commented. However, she also highlighted the inherent uncertainties surrounding Nunes’s future in the sport. Nunes, who retired from active competition after her dominant win over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023, has recently hinted at a return, with a potential super fight against Kayla Harrison. "But in the same time, it’s unclear yet, is she return or not return? Is she fighting or not fighting? And also, it’s unknown in what shape she’s going to return. Like, half Amanda or maybe full Amanda? Who knows?" Shevchenko’s remarks reflect the cautious optimism surrounding a potential third clash with the "Lioness," whose return would undoubtedly reshape the landscape of women’s MMA.

Kayla Harrison represents a different, yet equally compelling, challenge. Harrison, an undisputed force in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with an undefeated professional MMA record of 16-0, has dominated her competition with a judo-heavy, suffocating grappling style. Her transition from Olympic judo to MMA has been remarkably successful, leading to multiple PFL championship titles and a growing clamor for her to test her skills against the UFC’s elite. Harrison has publicly expressed interest in a fight with Nunes, and a potential victory there could set the stage for a clash with Shevchenko. "But Kayla is also one of the possibilities, and it’s going to be another super challenge," Shevchenko acknowledged, recognizing the unique skill set and undefeated aura Harrison brings to the table. A fight between Shevchenko and Harrison would pit two of the most decorated female combat athletes against each other, promising a strategic and physically demanding contest.

While the allure of a second title and high-profile super fights at bantamweight is undeniable, Shevchenko also underscored the continued presence of credible threats within her current flyweight division. "I feel there are good challengers in flyweight as well; Erin [Blanchfield], Natalia [Silva]," she noted. Erin Blanchfield (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has rapidly ascended the flyweight rankings, boasting impressive grappling credentials and a string of dominant victories over established contenders. Her youth and relentless pressure make her a formidable future opponent. Natalia Silva (17-5-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC), another rising star, has showcased dynamic striking and a well-rounded game, establishing herself as a dark horse in the division. These emerging talents ensure that Shevchenko’s reign at flyweight, should she choose to continue defending her title, will not be without significant tests.

The ultimate decision regarding Valentina Shevchenko’s next move will emerge from a strategic discussion with her coaching staff. Whether she opts to further solidify her legacy as the undisputed queen of the flyweight division by facing new challengers or embarks on a quest for two-division glory at bantamweight, her continued presence at the pinnacle of women’s mixed martial arts guarantees compelling narratives and high-stakes contests for the foreseeable future.