Valentina Shevchenko is just a short time away from challenging Nicco Montano for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title in the co-main event of UFC 228.
There are now two Shevchenko sisters competing in the UFC after Antonina Shevchenko earned a contract through Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and Valentina couldn’t be happier.
“It was a very great feeling, I was at the fight. I was more nervous than she was, I was so happy when she got the contract from the UFC. For me, it means a lot to be the first sisters in UFC history. Its a great feeling, I’m very excited about her and I cannot wait until she makes her UFC debut,” says Shevchenko in an exclusive interview with Fightful’s James Lynch.
Antonina may be competing at flyweight when she comes into the UFC, which is the same weight class her sister could be champion in after UFC 228.
While there may be concerns about a title challenger making weight in the main event of UFC 228, it is not a concern for the person challenging for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title.
“They started excellent (the weight cut), so for now, I am not cutting any weight. Literally, my weight went down to 130 (pounds). I’m working this way and just for the last week of the fight week, I have to drop like five pounds and I basically think that’s like nothing if compared to other weight cuts like people are doing. I’m feeling good…feeling strong…feeling powerful, I think its very good for me,” says Shevchenko.
UFC 228 takes place on Saturday, September 8 from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas with Tyron Woodley and Darren Till headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
