UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko has responded to Amanda Nunes’ call-out for a fight, but has doubts that she will take the bout.
Valentina’s response was sparked by Nunes’ comments following Shevchenko’s title defense win at UFC 322 over Zhang Weili. In response, Nunes claimed she would drop down to 125 pounds to face Valentina following her expected bout vs Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight belt.
Nunes won both her encounters with Shevchenko in 2016 and 2017 by decision, with the second meeting being a controversial split decision at UFC 215 in September 2017. Shevchenko welcomes a third fight, but doubts Nunes would make the move to flyweight. Shevchenko pointed out that Nunes had previously experienced difficulties making the 135-pound bantamweight limit, eventually leading her to move up to featherweight.
“Let’s do it, Amanda. Come on. 125. Yeah, let’s do it. Maybe Kayla Harrison will want to go down to 125 and do it as well. I welcome everyone. It depends. There are all these circumstances that have to come in. For now, she likes to talk a lot, and she feels secure. When you’re behind the wall and no one can get to you. She’s still kind of in the half of her retirement. Still saying she’s coming back, but nothing for sure. She feels safe to speak now, and that’s why you cannot ever trust when people speak that much,” Valentina said