Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s flyweight contender Jennifer Maia, who clocks in at No. 3 in the 125-pound rankings, is currently a massive betting underdog against reigning division champion Valentina Shevchenko.
“Bullet” has climbed to a -1300 favorite, just don’t expect that to faze the +850 Brazilian.
“I don’t care about the oddsmakers,” Maia told MMA Junkie. “I’m going in there and putting on my ‘A’ game and winning the title for Brazil. It would be something I can’t express myself in words about beating her. I know it would be an incredible feeling to get a win over someone like Valentina.”
An injury prevented Shevchenko (19-3) from defending her flyweight belt against Joanne Calderwood earlier this year, forcing “JoJo” into a title eliminator opposite Maia (18-6-1). The move blew up in her face, as the Brazilian was able to score a first-round submission and take over the open slot against “Bullet.”
And she plans to succeed where others have failed.
“I’m a complete fighter,” Maia said. “I want to fight and demonstrate how I’m superior (to other contenders). It’s difficult to say how this fight is going to go. She has a lot of experience, but I’m ready to fight wherever the fight goes and bring this belt to Brazil.”
It will be upset of the year … or just another name on the 125-pound “hit list.”
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