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Valentina Shevchenko is still the Queen

jiujiteiramagazine June 13, 2022 2 min read

Shevchenko retains UFC women’s flyweight title by split decision over Taila Santos whose orbital bone was broken by a headbutt during the fight at UFC275

With the most consecutive title defenses among current UFC female champions, Valentina Shevchenko remains queen of the women’s flyweight division. Shevchenko (23-3) edged Brazilian contender Taila Santos (19-2) by split decision in the co-main event of UFC275. Two judges scored the fight for Shevchenko while a third had Santos as the winner. It was the closest Shevchenko has come to a defeat since she moved to the 125-pound weight class in 2018.

The duel was intense and the Brazilian challenger impressed the audience on how she capitalized on the current champion’s mistakes and even threatened Shevchenko with several rear-naked choke attempts, which Shevchenko was able to effectively defend, neutralizing the submission.

An ultra competitive match, Santos scored with multiple takedowns and put on a show of very good Jiu-Jitsu while Shevchenko maintained her explosive and calculated approach. Well-known for her striking game, Shevchenko landed more offensive strikes, yet Santos was able to put enough pressure to cause moments of concern for the queen.

An accidental clashing of heads during the third round left Santos’ right eye nearly shut and broke her orbital bone. The fighter is getting ready to travel to Brazil for surgery. From that moment on, Shevchenko started to deliver heavier combos and locked down the victory with a final takedown in the fifth round.

“When you’ve finished a fight, every time you find something to improve,” Shevchenko said. “This is the championship mindset. I did everything. I left my heart in this Octagon. I can tell everyone, fans of MMA, I left my heart in here.”

For Shevchenko, not only she gets to keep her shinning crown but this is also her ninth consecutive win – which represents the longest active winning streak of any UFC female fighter. Shevchenko makes history and passes the former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s record of consecutive title defenses.