Valentina Shevchenko wants title fight with Liz Carmouche

The UFC had a difficult time locking down a main event for UFC San Antonio, which goes down on July 20. Eventually, the promotion landed on a welterweight contender bout between Rafael dos Anjos and Leon Edwards, but before that matchup was booked, several others were in consideration. One was a flyweight title fight between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Liz Carmouche.

While this matchup failed to come to fruition for the July 20 card in San Antonio, Shevchenko remains hopeful it will be booked soon. She has history with Carmouche, having experienced the first setback of her career against the American, and is eager for the opportunity to even the score. Particularly given the way their first fight ended.

“Yes, of course it’s going to be a good fight [against Carmouche], she’s a strong fighter and yes it’s going to be a good fight,” Valentina Shevchenko said on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio. “Our history… it was like some kind of medical stoppage. I was dominating all round, I was throwing combinations, I even took her down. I came for the leg lock and she threw from the ground — I was standing on my feet — she throws the heel and it landed right on my brow. So [I got] this cut on the eye and the doctor decided to stop the fight. This was not the way I planned [it], I was ready to continue the fight but the doctor decided different way. I think it’s going to be a very very nice fight.

“You can never erase [a loss] it but you still gain another [win],” she added. “I’m here to continue my victory, I’m here to continue to be the champion and I will never let no-one take this belt because I will train harder than any one of them, that’s why this is going to be a good [fight].”

While it’s not yet certain that Valentina Shevchenko will have the opportunity to avenge her loss to Liz Carmouche in her next fight, she’s confident that she’ll continue to deliver action-packed fights — like her recent head-kick knockout of Jessica Eye — no matter who she fights.

“Let’ see how is everything plays out,” she said. “I just will continue my martial arts way, my martial arts life to do what I love the most. Martial arts for me, it’s my lifestyle, [it’s] everything. I just will do everything as best as I can to bring good fights for all fans of UFC or fans of MMA and just to make them happy.”

Does a rematch between Valentina Shevchenko and Liz Carmouche interest you?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/18/2019.