Reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano has yet to step foot inside of the Octagon since capturing the inaugural 125-pound title with a victory over Roxanne Modafferi last December at TUF 26 Finale.
Scheduled to make her return to action next weekend against former bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Montano is just happy to finally be healthy. She had been dealing with a badly injured foot that limited her ability to stay in the gym and train for her first UFC title defense.
“My health was my main issue,” Montano told reporters earlier this week during UFC 228’s media call (full replay here). “After I got off the ‘TUF’ show I had to deal with a number of health issues. After my fight with (Roxanne Modafferi), I was in a boot dealing with a chronic bacterial infection, and that’s when Valentina chose to call me out. Everybody thought I was just hanging out at home when I was literally having a viral infection throughout my entire body hindering me from spending more than two days a week at practice.”
With her foot injury in the past, Montano is ready to put her UFC title on the line and prove that she has what it takes to defeat a high-caliber contender like Shevchenko. But that doesn’t mean Montano feels pressure to validate her current title reign amidst a long layoff from competition.
“I’ve already proven that (I’m a champion),” Montano said. “I feel like I’ve already proven that. With this fight against Shevchenko, it’s just going to show other people that, and the true people that are inspired by me, that no matter what the odds are, that you can still come out successful and victorious.”
As for her fight with “Bullet,” Montano is focusing on the things she does well in hopes of taking the talented contender out of her own game.
“I plan on her being the best she can be the night of the fight,” Montano said. “I’m not focusing on how she’s lost fights. I’m not taking note at what she’s good at. I’m taking notes on what I’m great at, and I’ll be able to capitalize on timing.”
UFC 228 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between current champion Tyron Woodley and undefeated English contender Darren Till.
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