Jennifer Maia could hardly care less about the oddsmakers ahead of her next UFC fight.
The UFC flyweight contender challenges champion Valentina Shevchenko (19-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) on Saturday in the co-main event bout at UFC 255 in Las Vegas. Much like Shevchenko’s previous opponents, Maia (18-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) enters the fight as a heavy underdog – some betting sites have her as high as +900.
But the Brazilian standout is unfazed by the chances the oddsmakers are giving her in capturing gold.
“I don’t care about the oddsmakers,” Maia said at the UFC 255 media day. “I’m going in there and putting on my ‘A’ game and winning the title for Brazil.”
Maia knows Shevchenko is the toughest rival she’s ever faced, but feels she brings tools and factors to the table that other title challengers haven’t been able to bring against Shevchenko.
“I’m a complete fighter,” Maia said. “I want to fight and demonstrate how I’m superior (to other contenders). It’s difficult to say how this fight is going to go. She has a lot of experience, but I’m ready to fight wherever the fight goes and bring this belt to Brazil.”
If Maia dethrones Shevchenko, there’s no doubt it would be one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Maia has trouble putting to words what a victory would mean for her career.
“It would be something I can’t express myself in words about beating her,” Maia said. “I know it would be an incredible feeling to get a win over someone like Valentina.”
UFC 255’s Jennifer Maia unfazed by lopsided odds title bout vs. Valentina Shevchenko