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Shevchenko Sends Frightening Message To Flyweights: “I’m Here Forever”

Valentina Shevchenko has insisted that she’ll be reigning atop the UFC flyweight division forever. Currently riding on a seven-fight win streak with her last loss coming by split decision to Amanda Nunes—a fighter widely considered to be the pinnacle of women’s MMA—Valentina Shevchenko seems almost unstoppable as she continues to dominate the contenders in her […]

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Valentina Shevchenko has insisted that she’ll be reigning atop the UFC flyweight division forever.

Currently riding on a seven-fight win streak with her last loss coming by split decision to Amanda Nunes—a fighter widely considered to be the pinnacle of women’s MMA—Valentina Shevchenko seems almost unstoppable as she continues to dominate the contenders in her 125lb weight class.

While there are a number of emerging talents in the women’s flyweight division, Valentina Shevchenko has no intention of allowing the prospects to dethrone her as she promises that she’ll remain the champion for a very long time.

Valentina Shevchenko doubts — Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

While speaking to Fanatics View, Valentina Shevchenko boldly claimed that nobody will be taking her title as she sees herself leading the pack for years to come.

“Being champion of 125, I welcome everyone. Yeah, you can fight here, but you’re never gonna be the champion here. Because I’m here forever, for a long time.” Shevchenko asserted.

At 33-years of age, Valentina expressed just how long she believes she can continue to dominate competitors at the highest level.

“As much as I can. As much as my body, my mental health is saying, ‘Valentina, you can do it. Go.’ And yeah, as long as I have [this] feeling, I will do it. And I [haven’t] lost not a little bit of this feeling,” Stated Shevchenko. “And every year, I’m just feeling stronger and stronger, more technical, more [sharp], and more confident.”

Valentina Shevchenko will put her flyweight title on the line when she faces #3-ranked Lauren Murphy in a five-round co-main event fight which will take place at UFC 266 this Saturday.

How long do you believe Valentina will keep hold of the UFC flyweight champion?

Continue Reading Shevchenko Sends Frightening Message To Flyweights: “I’m Here Forever” at MMA News.

Lauren Murphy Thinks Title Shot Sends A Clear Message To Other Fighters

UFC women’s flyweight Lauren Murphy believes her upcoming championship opportunity proves that other fighters’ efforts will be rewarded. After over seven years in the UFC, Murphy will fight for gold for the first time at UFC 266 later this month. And “Lucky” certainly hasn’t found herself opposite the champ by way of luck. Since a […]

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UFC women’s flyweight Lauren Murphy believes her upcoming championship opportunity proves that other fighters’ efforts will be rewarded.

After over seven years in the UFC, Murphy will fight for gold for the first time at UFC 266 later this month. And “Lucky” certainly hasn’t found herself opposite the champ by way of luck.

Since a defeat to Sijara Eubanks in 2018, the 38-year-old veteran has won five straight. Victories over Mara Romero Borella, Andrea Lee, Roxanne Modafferi, and Liliya Shakirova brought her into title contention. But it was an impressive split decision victory over former top-five Joanna Calderwood that secured her title shot.

In her way of championship glory will be the dominant Valentina Shevchenko. Since capturing the vacant 125-pound title with a win over Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018, ‘Bullet’ has defended the gold five times. Brutal performances over the likes of Jessica Eye and Jéssica Andrade showed the gulf in class between the champ and her challengers. Murphy will hope to challenge that narrative on September 25.

Ahead of the most important bout of her career to date, Lauren Murphy spoke with MMA News’ own James Lynch. Discussing her rise to the top, the Alaskan suggested her journey should act as motivation for other fighters in the UFC. She said it’s proof that hard work does pay off.

“Everyone that’s involved in the sport, they want to know that hard work pays off. Nobody that’s involved in the sport wants to see favorites get title shots. Nobody wants to see people that lose weight or miss fights get rewarded when they have other fighters who are making weight and winning fights,” Murphy told MMA News. “People want to know that hard work is gonna pay off. And I think I’m kind of an embodiment of that, that you can fall, pick yourself back up, keep working hard, try again, and that eventually, those efforts are gonna be rewarded. I think actually everybody in the world wants to see that. So I’m proud to represent that.”

Catch our full interview with Lauren Murphy ahead of UFC 266 below:

Murphy’s title challenge will be the first of two exciting championship fights set for UFC 266. In the main event, this year’s The Ultimate Fighter coaches Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega will collide. Having won his belt from Max Holloway and defended it against the Hawaiian immediately after, Volkanovski will be looking to successfully defend his belt for the second time opposite “T-City.”

The stacked event will also mark the return of fan favorite Nick Diaz. The Stockton native hasn’t entered the Octagon since 2015, and will be looking for his first win since 2011. Diaz will face Robbie Lawler, who he first met inside the cage back in 2004.

Do you think Lauren Murphy has what it takes to defeat Valentina Shevchenko?

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The Countdown To UFC 266 Has Officially Begun

The countdown to UFC 266 has officially begun. This Saturday, UFC 266 will take place from The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be three five-round bouts on the card, including two world title fights and the return of the enigmatic Nick Diaz. In the main event, Brian Ortega will have his second […]

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The countdown to UFC 266 has officially begun.

This Saturday, UFC 266 will take place from The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be three five-round bouts on the card, including two world title fights and the return of the enigmatic Nick Diaz.

In the main event, Brian Ortega will have his second career opportunity at UFC featherweight gold when he challenges #4-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Alexander Volkanovski. Ortega truly shined in his most recent performance against The Korean Zombie, but now he must put his best foot forward once again, this time against the best of the best at 145.

The co-main event will feature Valentina Shevchenko looking to make her sixth successful flyweight title defense when she locks up with veteran Lauren Murphy. Will Murphy be able to defy the massive odds placed against her and be the one to dethrone the seemingly unstoppable Bullet?

And in the third five-round showcase, Nick Diaz will return after six years away from competition when he duels with familiar foe Robbie Lawler. Way back in 2004, Diaz defeated Lawler via KO. Does Diaz still pack the same wallop nearly two decades later? And how well prepared is Diaz ahead of his big comeback fight?

To help answer that final question, you can check out the official UFC 266 Countdown video at the bottom of this article. But first, let’s look at the fully stacked lineup on hand this Saturday night!

UFC 266 MAIN CARD (10:00 PM ET, ESPN+ PPV)

UFC Featherweight Championship Bout: Alexander Volkanovski(c) vs. Brain Ortega

UFC Flyweight Championship Bout: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy

Five-Round Feature Bout: Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler

Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Jéssica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo

UFC 266 PRELIMINARY CARD (8:00 PM ET, ESPNEWS/ESPN+)

Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Dan Hooker vs. Nasrat Haqparast

Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chris Daukaus

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Taila Santos

UFC 266 EARLY PRELIMINARY CARD (6:00 PM, ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass)

Jalin Turner vs. Uros Medic

Manon Fiorot vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

Karl Roberson vs. Nick Maximov

Martin Sano vs. Matthew Semelsberger

Jonathan Pearce vs. Omar Morales

Finally, here is the full UFC 266 Countdown video:

Continue Reading The Countdown To UFC 266 Has Officially Begun at MMA News.

TGIFighting: The Next Khabib? Islam Makhachev Targets Lightweight Division

Welcome back to TGIFighting , where we talk to top fighters, preview the weekend’s combat sports action and make crotchety observations about the MMA news of the day…

Volkanovski/Ortega & Shevchenko/Murphy Booked For UFC 266

Two title fights have been added to the UFC 266, with Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy both official. ESPN broke the news of this double-header Tuesday evening, the same day the return of Nick Diaz was m…

Continue Reading Volkanovski/Ortega & Shevchenko/Murphy Booked For UFC 266 at MMA News.

UFC Possibly Taking Action Against Shoving During Weigh-ins

The UFC seems to be taking a stance against shoving during weigh-ins.
Continue Reading UFC Possibly Taking Action Against Shoving During Weigh-ins at MMA News.

The UFC seems to be taking a stance against shoving during weigh-ins.

Continue Reading UFC Possibly Taking Action Against Shoving During Weigh-ins at MMA News.