As the most important fight of her career approaches, Jennifer
Maia spoke to Sherdog.com about her final weeks of preparation
for her upcoming fight against flyweight champion Valentina
Shevchenko in the UFC 255 co-main event.
With victories in three of her last four Octagon appearances, the
former Invicta FC title holder is optimistic about her chances
against “Bullet.”
“This has been the best camp of my life. Everything is running
according with our plans,” Maia said. “Valentina never makes
mistakes during the fight, so I don’t see she changing her usual
strategy against myself. My main focus will be to impose my rhythm
and not let her get comfortable in any moment of the fight.”
Maia also praised former opponent Jessica
Andrade, who made her 125-pound debut last weekend with a
first-round TKO of Katlyn
Chookagian in the UFC Fight Night 180 co-headliner. The Parana,
Brazil, native previously defeated Andrade via unanimous decision
at Samurai FC 9 “Water vs. Fire” on Dec. 15, 2012.
“Definitely Jessica had a great fight, and I´m sure she is coming
to bring emotion to our flyweight division. Even though I’d rather
face non-Brazilians, I don’t see any problem to face her again,”
Maia said. “But now my focus is 100 percent on the fight against
Valentina.”
UFC 255 takes place on Nov. 21 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is
headlined by a men’s flyweight championship clash between Deiveson
Figueiredo and Alex Perez.