[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] won’t let the hype go to her head, even if all the praise is deserved.
The UFC women’s flyweight champion has given fans, media and everyone in between more than enough reason not to doubt her ahead of any title defense. Shevchenko (19-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) defends her belt for the fourth time in the co-main event of UFC 255 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. She takes on top contender and former Invicta FC champion Jennifer Maia.
It should be no surprise the 32-year-old is a heavy favorite going into the pay-per-view event. Some oddsmakers have her as high as a -1800 favorite. Even then, Shevchenko says she barely notices these things.
“How can that affect me? I don’t see it,” Shevchenko said at Wednesday’s UFC 255 virtual media day. “I just train hard to have an easy fight. If people could see how hard I train, they’ll understand everything because I train harder than everyone.”
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Shevchenko hasn’t shown any weaknesses at 125 pounds and no fighter has come close to beating her in the class. It would be a huge upset if Maia (18-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) were to get the job done.
Despite the chatter about how this title fight should be lopsided, Shevchenko trains to better herself, not to beat her opponents.
“I’m not focused on what people are saying, I’m just focused on my trainings,” Shevchenko explained. “What interest me the most is doing my fight and my performance better than the last one – more dominant, more technique, stronger, that’s what interest me.
“I’m not a person that worries about what people say. I’m making my own path and life style and that’s what I do. I don’t listen to anyone.”
UFC 255 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.
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