Valentina Shevchenko wants to stop Weili Zhang (20-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) from getting an easy UFC title.
Weili Zhang recently secured a 42-second knockout, claiming her strawweight belt. She then became the first Chinese Champion to hold a UFC strawweight title. After the win, Zhang was asked of a possible challenge against flyweight champion Shevchenko. She was receptive of the idea and is excited to face Shevchenko.
Shevchenko on the other hand is dismissive about Zhang’s victory considering it an easy win. She elaborated that Zhang got an easy path to the belt already and it will not happen again in her division. Shevchenko stated in an MMA Junkie interview “I think to get this right, she has to prove (herself)”. This time Zhang will be expected to face off against a strong opponent like Joanna (Jedrzejczyk).
Zhang’s legacy is barely a week old but she will qualify for the next weight class considering she wins. Shevchenko respects Zhang’s overwhelming win but there are many fighters waiting in her weight class. Shevchenko stated, “I think she’s a good fighter, but she still didn’t fight with the best ones in her weight class”. Zhang has taken the first big step becoming the first new Chinese champion and becoming a huge star for her country.
