Valentina Shevchenko does her best to avoid acknowledging betting odds going into her fights. However, she admits a touch of pressure comes with the steep line for her title defense against Jennifer Maia at UFC 255.
Shevchenko (19-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), the reigning women’s flyweight champion, is currently as great as a 12-1 betting favorite for the Nov. 21 bout against Maia (18-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC). Shevchenko was recently made aware of the odds and said it only makes her think of how she needs to put on a performance worthy of them.
“I didn’t hear (about being a -1200 favorite) yet, and I never do,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie Radio on Thursday. “I never focus on what the bet is, and I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s the last thing I would consider during my training camp. The most important thing I consider is to prepare myself mentally, physically. I know that Jennifer Maia, she will be preparing in her best shape.
“… For me I cannot just think, ‘Oh, it’s going to be an easy fight.’ For me, it means a lot of responsibility to do everything that I have to do in the fight.”
Shevchenko’s primary focus is to live up to her “responsibility” as a dominant champion, but she said an onus also falls on Maia to prove the public perception wrong.
By no means is Shevchenko looking to get in the octagon with anyone who will roll over for her. UFC 255 represents her fourth title defense at 125 pounds, and the champ is preparing as if Maia is the most dangerous threat to her reign. And she hopes that’s the reality on fight night.
“I don’t want anyone that would come into the octagon and not be ready for the fight,” Shevchenko said. “I don’t need this kind of opponent. I need someone who will want to fight. That’s why I will put my best to win this fight and to show my technique, my spirit, my power, my everything. I need good opponent, and I hope she will do good in her training camp.”
No matter who the opponent or what the odds, Shevchenko said her next fight is an extremely important one. It’s testing uncharted water as, for the first time, she’ll be entering a fight following surgery.
Shevchenko was supposed to defend her belt against Joanne Calderwood in June, but she suffered a leg injury that forced her out of the bout. Her timeline was then pushed back from August to November because recovery wasn’t going as anticipated.
The process is going well enough that Shevchenko was able to sign on for a date and opponent, she said, but caution is still needed. According to Shevchenko, the top priority for her UFC 255 training camp is to not reaggravate her leg injury and enter the octagon in her best condition.
“You never can expect how your body will react after the surgery,” Shevchenko said. “It’s my first surgery. I never had before, and definitely I would not risk something that important for me as my belt. It’s all about my recuperation. When I will be back to the octagon, I will feel my body 100 percent, definitely. I will not do something when there is not risk for major injury.
“This is the most important or me. Right now I focus so much to start my training with no injuries and not repeat the same injury and to protect my legs and protect them from unwanted force during the training camp. This is for me what’s very important. I know if I do this and follow this plan, I will do good.”
Valentina Shevchenko wants to show why she's huge favorite vs. Jennifer Maia