VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Valentina Shevchenko was beaten but not broken when she lost her flyweight title to Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 in March.
Since the defeat, her first in nearly five-and-a-half years, Shevchenko (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) has largely laid low, out of the spotlight. But as a guest fighter at Friday’s Q&A at Rogers Area ahead of UFC 289, Shevchenko addressed the defeat and impending rematch vs. Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC).
“I’m getting ready for the rematch and I know what I have to do,” Shevchenko said. “Yeah, I’m just getting ready. I’m refocused and retaking (in) everything. I am in this fight in martial arts for so long, like 30 years. For 30 years, people (usually) have three careers in martial arts. But I’m still here. I’m still saying I’m the best. I’ll have my chance to say it again when I fight next Alexa.
“For me, she’s a great fighter. She did what she did in the fight, but she is a chance fighter. During the fight, (she is) doing not much, conserving the energy, and waiting for a chance. But actually, if there is no chance, there is no victory. I know she’s going to be ready for this exact chance. But the question, if she will be given this chance? No.”
The rematch does not yet have a date, though UFC president Dana White recently revealed the promotion is working on it. With the UFC schedule of title fights likely complete through August, it appears a rematch would come in September, at the earliest.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
