Valentina Shevchenko delivered her greatest career highlight in her first title defense.
After capturing the vacant UFC flyweight title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231, Shevchenko (18-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) was set to defend her title against Jessica Eye at UFC 238.
Early in Round 1, Shevchenko landed a beautiful trip and controlled top position for the majority of the round. Eye used the fence to make her way back up, but was quickly taken back down to the mat. Shevchenko eventually switched to side control, then a mounted crucifix, where she worked for a Kimura, but was reversed by Eye right before the sound of the horn.
In Round 2, Shevchenko started out throwing a hard kick to the body, then seconds later, decided to go up top and delivered a brutal left head kick that knocked Eye out cold. The finish earned Shevchenko a performance bonus and was considered one of the best knockouts of 2019.
She went on to defend her title against women’s MMA veteran Liz Carmouche in August in a one-sided unanimous decision win.
Shevchenko returns to action Feb. 8 when she puts her title on the line against Katlyn Chookagian in the UFC 247 co-main event in Houston.
In the meantime, check out the video above to watch Shevchenko’s spectacular knockout of Eye from this past summer in Chicago.
UFC 247 free fight: Valentina Shevchenko's first title defense was sick head-kick KO of Jessica Eye
