Valentina Shevchenko Says New UFC Contract Allows Title Defenses On PPV & Fight Night Cards

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko defends the gold against Katlyn Chookagian in the co-main event of UFC 247.

When Shevchenko signed her most recent deal with the UFC, one clause the fighter had put in the contract was to ensure the champion could defend the title on both pay-per-view and Fight Night events.

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“I’m a person who wants to compete more often and as much as I can,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie. “That’s why, when I signed my new agreement with UFC, one of the things I asked is to be able to compete not only in pay-per-views, but also in different events of UFC to be able to compete more often. So, for me, the more often I compete, the more happy I am.”

Shevchenko has previously defended the title twice before, with one defense at UFC 238 and one at UFC Fight Night Uruguay.

The fighter reportedly got more money in her last UFC contract, but financial matter aren't something that concerns Shevchenko.

“This mentality came from very, very far away,” Shevchenko said. “I was growing up with this idea that it doesn’t matter what you are doing, the most important is the journey and what you get through this. Of course when you get more money it’s a great thing. What I think about money is it gives you certain freedom in your actions. I don’t want to spend money on buying car. I don’t want to spend money buying houses or things. I want to spend money on my travels, to invest in myself, to learn more, to get more knowledge for exploring new things.”

UFC 247 takes place tomorrow night from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas with Jon Jones and Dominick Reyes headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.

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