Miesha Tate Holds Ladd’s Coach “Accountable” With Deleted Tweet

UFC women’s bantamweight Miesha Tate has continued her feud with Aspen Ladd’s coach Jim West, holding him “accountable” for a tweet he deleted during their exchange. Their animosity began following last weekend’s failed clash between Ladd and Macy Chiasson. After the fight was postponed earlier in the year due to an injury for Chiasson, the […]

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UFC women’s bantamweight Miesha Tate has continued her feud with Aspen Ladd’s coach Jim West, holding him “accountable” for a tweet he deleted during their exchange.

Their animosity began following last weekend’s failed clash between Ladd and Macy Chiasson. After the fight was postponed earlier in the year due to an injury for Chiasson, the UFC rebooked the matchup for UFC Vegas 38. This time, the fight fell through due to familiar weight cut issues for the returning Ladd.

Having originally weighed 141.5 pounds, the 26-year-old took to the scales again without clothes and with the use of a cloth to hide her while she attempted to make weight. Despite eventually coming in just one pound over the bantamweight limit, the visual of Ladd shaking and struggling to lift her arms was concerning, and understandably led to the fight being pulled from the card.

Following her latest weight miss, Ladd was the subject of criticism from many fighters and fans, including Miesha Tate. “Cupcake” accused the #3-ranked women’s bantamweight of cheating the scale, suggesting she actually weighed more than 137 pounds.

In response, Ladd’s coach branded Tate a “coward,” and challenged the veteran to try and make weight in the same condition his fighter was in. Further in the exchange, West slated the 35-year-old for an apparent lie she made regarding a fight with Ladd. The outspoken coach removed the tweet shortly after posting it.

The deleted tweet saw West accuse the former champ of lying about Ladd’s team’s demands for a late notice fight, likely referring to UFC Vegas 32. After Ladd’s original fight against Chiasson in July fell through, the Californian called out Tate, and encouraged her to take a second fight in two weeks. Despite suggesting she considered it, Tate cited the short time before weigh-in day as her reason for not stepping in.

Per his own “inside information,” West alleges that Tate didn’t want to fight an opponent as tough as Ladd, and invented false weight demands to hide her reluctance.

“Miesha Tate you are a coward,” West wrote. “Remember when you lied saying we wanted you to fight late notice at 145 but you went on record saying we wanted it at 135 and we know for a fact you said you didn’t want that tough of an opponent? Trust me have good inside information.”

Despite attempting to wipe the tweet from the record, the former 135-pound UFC queen had the wherewithal to screenshot the post in case West followed in the ‘tweet-and-delete’ footsteps of Conor McGregor. She responded to the removed post by flipping the script and suggesting West is the real coward.

“Speaking of cowards. @Jwestgold15 deletes his tweet, luckily I’m no rookie so here’s a screen shot to keep him accountable.”

What do you make of Miesha Tate’s ongoing animosity with Aspen Ladd’s coach?

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Michael Bisping Pitches Female ‘BMF’ Title For Nunes/Shevchenko Trilogy

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has suggested that Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko should fight for the female version of the ‘BMF’ title. Shevchenko, the current UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion, was in action last weekend at UFC 266. In the pay-per-view’s co-main event, “Bullet” made her sixth successful title defense, placing her at the […]

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Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has suggested that Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko should fight for the female version of the ‘BMF’ title.

Shevchenko, the current UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion, was in action last weekend at UFC 266. In the pay-per-view’s co-main event, “Bullet” made her sixth successful title defense, placing her at the top of the list for current UFC champions when it comes to triumphant retentions.

The dominant 125-pound queen breezed past Lauren Murphy at the event. After a fairly lacklustre three rounds of action, which largely saw “Lucky” unable to mount any offense, Shevchenko turned up the heat and let her weapons go. With some brutal elbows and punches, the Kyrgyzstani star finished Murphy in the fourth frame.

After yet another dominant display, the momentum behind calls for a trilogy fight with featherweight and bantamweight champ Nunes has picked up yet again. Given the fact she’s brushed aside the challenges of Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Jéssica Andrade, many have suggested the next logical challenge for Shevchenko is a third attempt at defeating the “Lioness.”

On a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping showed his support for a trilogy bout between Nunes and Shevchenko. However, he did pitch a few changes from their first two clashes, notably the creation of a female ‘BMF’ belt.

“I say they do a third rematch, but it doesn’t have to be Shevchenko going up to 135 for the belt. Fuck that. Meet in the middle, it’s the two best ladies on the planet, 130 pounds, Shevchenko goes up five [pounds], Nunes comes down five to meet at 130 to fight not for the title…they do a female BMF version of the belt. Who really is the baddest motherfucker in terms of females on the planet? 130-pound catchweight. Boom. That’s what they should do and that makes it fair.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

The original ‘BMF’ title was created for Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz’s fight at UFC 244. After an impressive display, “Gamebred” took home the ceremonial belt and has often been seen sporting it at UFC events since.

Shevchenko and Nunes first fought at UFC 196 in 2016. The Brazilian had her hand raised after securing a comfortable unanimous decision win. “Bullet” offered a lot more in their rematch a year-and-a-half later. In the UFC 215 main event, Shevchenko came close to dethroning the 135-pound champ, and even after the scorecards condemned her to a split decision defeat, the Bishkek-born star revealed her dismay at the judges’ take on the fight. Given her performances and flyweight title reign since the rematch, many have suggested now is the time to match the two greats against each other again.

Having said that she’s ready for the trilogy prior to UFC 266, it stands to reason another dominant victory would only have made Shevchenko more confident about a potential third meeting in the Octagon with the female roster’s other destructive champion. Should Nunes emerge victorious against Julianna Peña at UFC 269 in December, we could well see these two legends collide once more.

Would you like to see Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko fight for the female iteration of the ‘BMF’ title?

Continue Reading Michael Bisping Pitches Female ‘BMF’ Title For Nunes/Shevchenko Trilogy at MMA News.

Shevchenko Names Her Ultimate Goal As A Mixed Martial Artist

After yet another dominant title defense at UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her lofty ambitions as a mixed martial artist. Shevchenko (22-3) made light work of Lauren Murphy to defend her women’s flyweight title for the sixth time on Saturday night before a packed Las Vegas crowd. Murphy just didn’t have an answer for […]

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After yet another dominant title defense at UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her lofty ambitions as a mixed martial artist.

Shevchenko (22-3) made light work of Lauren Murphy to defend her women’s flyweight title for the sixth time on Saturday night before a packed Las Vegas crowd. Murphy just didn’t have an answer for the clinical strikes and blistering speed of the “Bullet,” who smashed her way to a TKO in the fourth round. 

The loss snapped Murphy’s five-fight win streak, which included victories over Joanne Calderwood and Roxanne Modafferi. For Shevchenko, she’s now unbeaten in eight fights, with her last loss coming against the only woman to ever pose a challenge, Amanda Nunes.

Valentina Shevchenko
PHOTO: MMA FIGHTING

Valentina Shevchenko Reveals Her Driving Ambition As A Fighter

Back-to-back losses to Nunes in 2016 and 2017 are the only blemishes on Shevchenko’s otherwise perfect fight record. And to her credit, the second loss came via split decision at bantamweight—a weight class for which Valentina is not naturally suited—against a much physically larger opponent in Nunes.

At flyweight, however, the “Bullet” seems untouchable. And speaking at the UFC 266 post-fight press conference, Shevchenko revealed that this is her ultimate goal as a mixed martial artist.

“I didn’t expect easy fight,” said Shevchenko. “Lauren, she’s a tough opponent. She’s physically very strong. But I wanted to play my game. And my ultimate goal as a martial artist: to reach the level when your opponents, when they’re fighting each other, they look like furious, powerful, very strong. But when they fight me, it’s kinda like they cannot touch you, but you can feel yourself. What I want (to be) as a martial artist: untouchable.”

What do you think? Is Valentina Shevchenko untouchable at flyweight?

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Shevchenko Names Her Ultimate Goal As A Mixed Martial Artist

After yet another dominant title defense at UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her lofty ambitions as a mixed martial artist. Shevchenko (22-3) made light work of Lauren Murphy to defend her women’s flyweight title for the sixth time on Saturday night before a packed Las Vegas crowd. Murphy just didn’t have an answer for […]

Continue Reading Shevchenko Names Her Ultimate Goal As A Mixed Martial Artist at MMA News.

After yet another dominant title defense at UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her lofty ambitions as a mixed martial artist.

Shevchenko (22-3) made light work of Lauren Murphy to defend her women’s flyweight title for the sixth time on Saturday night before a packed Las Vegas crowd. Murphy just didn’t have an answer for the clinical strikes and blistering speed of the “Bullet,” who smashed her way to a TKO in the fourth round. 

The loss snapped Murphy’s five-fight win streak, which included victories over Joanne Calderwood and Roxanne Modafferi. For Shevchenko, she’s now unbeaten in eight fights, with her last loss coming against the only woman to ever pose a challenge, Amanda Nunes.

Valentina Shevchenko
PHOTO: MMA FIGHTING

Valentina Shevchenko Reveals Her Driving Ambition As A Fighter

Back-to-back losses to Nunes in 2016 and 2017 are the only blemishes on Shevchenko’s otherwise perfect fight record. And to her credit, the second loss came via split decision at bantamweight—a weight class for which Valentina is not naturally suited—against a much physically larger opponent in Nunes.

At flyweight, however, the “Bullet” seems untouchable. And speaking at the UFC 266 post-fight press conference, Shevchenko revealed that this is her ultimate goal as a mixed martial artist.

“I didn’t expect easy fight,” said Shevchenko. “Lauren, she’s a tough opponent. She’s physically very strong. But I wanted to play my game. And my ultimate goal as a martial artist: to reach the level when your opponents, when they’re fighting each other, they look like furious, powerful, very strong. But when they fight me, it’s kinda like they cannot touch you, but you can feel yourself. What I want (to be) as a martial artist: untouchable.”

What do you think? Is Valentina Shevchenko untouchable at flyweight?

Continue Reading Shevchenko Names Her Ultimate Goal As A Mixed Martial Artist at MMA News.

Shevchenko Says Only A Superhuman Murphy Could Surprise Her

Valentina Shevchenko has claimed that it will take something superhuman from Lauren Murphy to beat her on Saturday night. On April 24, 2021, Valentina Shevchenko scored a dominant TKO victory over the Brazilian powerhouse, Jéssica Andrade, to make her fifth successful defense of the flyweight title. Just five months on from UFC 261, Shevchenko looks […]

Continue Reading Shevchenko Says Only A Superhuman Murphy Could Surprise Her at MMA News.

Valentina Shevchenko has claimed that it will take something superhuman from Lauren Murphy to beat her on Saturday night.

On April 24, 2021, Valentina Shevchenko scored a dominant TKO victory over the Brazilian powerhouse, Jéssica Andrade, to make her fifth successful defense of the flyweight title.

Just five months on from UFC 261, Shevchenko looks to tie the all-time women’s UFC record of six title defenses when she steps in the Octagon against Lauren Murphy this weekend.

Despite recently extending her winning streak to five wins when she earned a hard-fought decision over Joanne Calderwood, Shevchenko believes Lauren Murphy must show something extraordinary to beat her—something Valentina doesn’t imagine the 38-year-old having.

Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko (Photo: Josh Hedges for Zuffa LLC)

When questioned what she thinks of her upcoming opponent during a UFC media day, Shevchenko gave her honest analysis.

“More durable athlete than I’ve ever seen? I doubt. More technical? I doubt. More well-rounded? I doubt. So I know for all the years what I (fought). It’s kind of hard to surprise with something special if you’re not a superhuman,” claimed Valentina. “And I know she’s well-rounded, I know she’s strong, I know she’s dangerous. This is everything that I have to know about her. But something special that I put pressure on my shoulders? No.”

Serving as the co-main event at UFC 266 on September 25, Shevchenko will once again be hoping for a dominant performance and to make short work of yet another #1 contender.

While she arguably faces the toughest test of her career, Lauren Murphy comes into her 20th professional bout without a single stoppage loss, which could serve her well when standing across the Octagon from a killer like Shevchenko.

Who do you see walking away with the women’s flyweight title after Valentina Shevchenko faces Lauren Murphy this weekend?

Continue Reading Shevchenko Says Only A Superhuman Murphy Could Surprise Her at MMA News.

Shevchenko’s UFC 266 Game Plan: Show Up, Break Murphy, And Leave

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her plan heading into her co-main event clash with Lauren Murphy at UFC 266 this weekend. Shevchenko will be looking to make the sixth successful defense of her 125-pound gold. Since winning the vacant title with a victory over Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018, “Bullet” has fought off […]

Continue Reading Shevchenko’s UFC 266 Game Plan: Show Up, Break Murphy, And Leave at MMA News.

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko has revealed her plan heading into her co-main event clash with Lauren Murphy at UFC 266 this weekend.

Shevchenko will be looking to make the sixth successful defense of her 125-pound gold. Since winning the vacant title with a victory over Joanna J?drzejczyk in 2018, “Bullet” has fought off the challenges of Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Jéssica Andrade.

The Kyrgyzstani’s motivation to remain at the flyweight mountaintop is clear every time she enters the Octagon, something she’ll hope to demonstrate again when she faces Murphy on September 25.

“Lucky” has built a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Roxanne Modafferi and Joanne Calderwood. Despite Shevchenko’s dominance, and the doubts about her title credentials that the likes of Cynthia Calvillo hold, the 38-year-old believes she’s the toughest contender the champ will have faced.

Ahead of her upcoming fight, Shevchenko revealed her UFC 266 game plan to Sports Illustrated. While it may not be the sort of masterplan we’ll be seeing in the new James Bond film, it’s simple, effective, and is a pretty accurate description of her reign so far; enter, destroy, and leave.

“I will go there, break my opponent, take the belt, and go back home,” said Shevchenko. “That’s what I am preparing to do. That is what I will do.”

Shevchenko may acknowledge the toughness of her opponent, but she’s confident she’ll “destroy” yet another challenger come fight night.

“I know this level of competition is the top level. There are no easy or weak opponents, and everyone brings danger to the fights. I train to be capable to stop my opponent and do what I have to do to win the fight. I know my opponent will be strong, but I am going to destroy her.”

Shevchenko’s latest title defense joins a number of exciting matchups set for UFC 266. The pay-per-view, which will be held inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, will be headlined by a featherweight title clash between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Brian Ortega. After the pair coached this year’s return of The Ultimate Fighter, the animosity between them is certainly higher than when they were originally set to collide at UFC 260.

The main card will also see the highly anticipated return of fan-favorite Nick Diaz. In a rematch 17 years in the making, the Stockton native will run it back with former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler in what will be the UFC’s second five-round non-title and non-main event bout.

Who do you think will have their hand raised on Saturday? Valentina Shevchenko or Lauren Murphy?

Continue Reading Shevchenko’s UFC 266 Game Plan: Show Up, Break Murphy, And Leave at MMA News.