At this point in her mixed martial arts career, it’s hard to believe that Valentina Shevchenko, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, would have anyone doubting her ability to succeed in the Octagon.
And yet, Shevchenko was able to find motivation in the pre-fight narrative that UFC 261 opponent Jessica Andrade would be able to overpower her in the clinch or on the canvas.“I don’t have fear to go and fight, to go and wrestle, to go and grapple, I don’t have,” Shevchenko said. “I saw and hear a lot from Jessica that she is so secure that she can be stronger than me, than she can dominate me on the ground. I knew it, but I didn’t want to say nothing because I know my power and what I can do.
“That’s why I was like OK, let her believe in this, and then when she feels the power, real power of myself, she’s going to be double frustrated.”
When all was said and done, Shevchenko tied a flyweight record with seven takedowns before stopping Andrade…