Valentina Shevchenko would like to see Ronda Rousey again contained in the Octagon, simply not as an opponent.
‘Bullet’ additional established herself as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time at UFC 322, handily defeating former two-time strawweight queen Zhang Weili within the co-main occasion.
Within the days since profitable her eleventh title battle, Shevchenko appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show to debate all issues associated to her victory over Zhang and, extra importantly, what comes subsequent.
Through the dialog, Shevchenko was questioned in regards to the rumored return of the UFC’s first-ever feminine champion.
“She’s nonetheless younger and if she feels she will try this, it’s undoubtedly can be good for the game,” Shevchenko mentioned of Rousey.
As for whether or not or not Shevchenko would entertain ‘Rowdy’ as a possible opponent…
“I don’t assume so at this second,” she added, dismissing the potential of a battle with Rousey. “Like years in the past, it will make extra sense, however at this second, this level of my life, her life, I don’t assume it is smart.”
There’s no denying that Rousey is the one who paved the best way for feminine fighters to compete contained in the Octagon after Dana White burdened for years that ladies would by no means battle within the UFC.
However after struggling a pair of brutal knockouts earlier than bailing on the battle recreation altogether a decade in the past, Shevchenko thinks the previous Olympian could be finest served by taking some low-level fights earlier than doubtlessly leaping again onto MMA’s largest stage.
“I’d say precisely, earlier than you come again on the identical stage like she competed—Ronda competed on the highest prime stage—earlier than she comes again at this stage, if it will be me, I’d do like a number of fights at a decrease stage simply to get again in form, in the identical competitors temper, to really feel this strain in preventing,” Shevchenko continued.
“I feel Ronda, she’s a fantastic fighter and undoubtedly she’s the primary one who fought in UFC like individuals noticed her preventing in UFC and undoubtedly she deserves to be the best fighter. However nobody would battle there like there was not like ladies—after solely seven years it was the primary UFC battle right here in UFC feminine battle. However in 2003 I already gained the title of world champion in MMA in South Korea in Seoul.
“In 2005 I used to be the world champion already. So I’ve been right here for a very long time and I’ve all rights to discuss the way it advanced and the way it was again then and now. So yeah, for me it’s very arduous query who’s the best and I by no means will name myself as a result of I’m not.”
Whereas Rousey has not confirmed whether or not or not a return to MMA is within the playing cards, rumors started to swirl after ‘Rowdy’ posted photographs and movies on Instagram of her returning to the gymnasium and showing to get again into battle form.
