Shevchenko retains her title, wins via unanimous decision
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UFC 255’s co-main event, “Valentina Shevchenko” vs. “Jennifer Maia” for the flyweight title took place in UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Going into this bout, the champion Valentina Shevchenko, 19-3, had defended her title for five times straight. She the -1667 betting favourite to retain her belt and this has been a trend with her; she has been the favourite in most of her fights.
Maia was originally supposed to fight “Viviane Araujo” who had to pull out of the fight as she, unfortunately, tested positive for Covid-19. Seizing the opportunity, Jennifer was matched up against Calderwood whom she bested via submission and won thus being awarded a go at gold.
The Champion increases her win streak
Jennifer Maia was the underdog in this fight, as most of Shevchenko’s opponents tends to be. However, Maia, 3-2, who is a +1000 and had a bit of issues cutting weight in her last 2 bouts, did not exactly seem like the first pick for the belt… and she wasn’t. Originally, it was Joanne Calderwood who was getting a shot at the belt.
Round 1: They start their fight with exchanges in the middle of the octagon. The champ does a better job at striking and ground game intially, landing shots and taking Maia down early. Maia is in full guard.
Shevchenko stays in the guard of Maia and starts landing shots to the body and the head but the action does not seem to be picking up as Maia does little in terms of attacking back.
The entire round was more or less the same. Maia was on her back, trying to defend against the strikes of Shevchenko. In the last minute of the round, Maia locks in a full-body triangle and Shevchenko keeps striking from mount till the round ends. It seems both fighters were still getting warmed up.
Round 2: The Bullet comes in hard with a spinning back kick which Maia just eats up. Valentina attempts and takedown and gets it but Jennifer gets up almost immediately and goes for the clinch… and things start to shift.
Maia is not landing any significant strikes right now but she is controller the champion quite well. Shevchenko manages to force Maia off and lands a knee while separating but it does not do much and Maia gets her in the clinch again. Shevchenko goes for a takedown but Maia beautifully reverses it and she is now on top.
Maia is now landing bombs on the champ, she gets her off and tries to start a stand-up exchange, however, Maia prevents the champ from getting up by utilising her head position, making sure Valentina does not get her head under her shoulder which she needs to do in order to get up. Shevchenko is against the fence, tries a triangle attempt which fails and Maia, in a very Chael Sonnen-Anderson Silva type fight, just dominates her from the top.
Round 3: The betting odds are shifting. It is people underestimated the power that Jennifer Maia has. The advice she took from Amanda Nunes is certainly working. The game plan seems obvious now. Right at the start, Shevchenko lands a big right hand and another. They do some damage but the challenger keeps marching forwards. The champion knows she ought to keep the fight standing so she tries to stay on her feet.
Maia seems to be eating some shots but she handles them and goes in for the clinch, trying to outmuscle the champion. Shevchenko breaks it and regains the distance. Valentina pushes forward with her striking. She lands a combo after missing a head kick, hits the challenger with a big left that hurts her. Shevchenko now goes in for the takedown gets it. Maia makes some adjustments and gets to half-guard but the champ seems to be in control for now. Maia, goes for a butterfly and elevates the champion and gets back on her feet.
The challenger goes in for the clinch and attempts to trip the champ but is unsuccessful, she lands a couple of knees but nothing significant. Near the end, it is Valentina that takes down the wrestling heavy Maia but the challenger is saved by the bell just before Shevchenko got the mount.
Round 4: The Bullet seems to have gotten her pace now. She starts with a big left and keeps striking and moving. She knows she must avoid fighting in the clinch. Maia is not out yet and lands a strong right but the champ gets double underhooks and trips the challenger against the fence, she gets side-control.
Maia manages to get into half-guard but the Champion seems much better now and keeps landing shoulder strikes and right hands. Valentina tries to escape the half-guard but Jennifer stops her from doing so. Briefly, Shevchenko gets the back of the challenger but Maia instantly counters and gets back to half-guard.
The majority of the fight was on the guard with Shevchenko on top. Herb Dean asks them to work and the champ attempts an arm-triangle, Maia defends against it well but still gets pounded with strikes till the round ends.
Round 5: Final round! Valentina’s game plan of grappling was expected but seems to have worked out for her. The corner of Maia told her she ends a stoppage in order to win. The champ hits Jennifer with a spinning backfist but the challenger just eats it and goes in for the clinch. Shevchenko knows she cannot allow that and separates, landing an elbow on her way out which opens up Maia.
The fight simply turns into a “fight using your style” match. Shevchenko is striking on the feet while Maia attempts for takes down and goes in for the clinch. Maia, unsuccessful in taking Valentina down, attempts for an armspin takedown while clinching. Shevchenko avoids it and strikes back with a knee. Maia is bloodied up and has a broken nose.
The challenger fights with a big heart. She lands a few good shots, especially a clean hook near the end but it getting battered and hit more consistently by the champ. In the last seconds of the fight, Maia goes in for the last moment clinch sprawl but that is where the bout ends.
Official Decision: Valentina Shevchenko defeats Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46). The Champion, Valentina Shevchenko increases her win streak to 6!
Also read: Katlyn Chookagian wins her bout against Cynthia Calvillo via unanimous decision
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Himanshu Baweja
(9 Articles Published)