Valentina Shevchenko
will make her debut in the flyweight (125 pounds) division of the UFC this Saturday in Brazil, where she will face local fighter Priscila Cachoeira on the main card of UFC Belem. In the lead-up to the fight, the Peruvian representative spoke about the advantages of dropping to a lower weight class.
"I feel good and I'm glad to fight in this weight class, it feels more natural to me. Although I felt completely fine and strong at 135 pounds (bantamweight), 125 pounds (flyweight) is more natural and comfortable for me," the 'Bullet' said in an interview with the UFC.
"In this weight class, I won't have the problem of fighting with bigger, taller, and heavier opponents. Now I will fight opponents my size. So I'll be able to apply some techniques that were dangerous to use against larger opponents," Valentina Shevchenko added.
On the other hand, the former bantamweight title contender explained that she did not undergo a drastic weight cut for this fight. On the contrary, she preferred to maintain a diet throughout her preparation to avoid last-minute difficulties.
"I choose a healthier route. I don't like to drop 5 or 7 kilos in one day. I prefer to lose a little during my camp and have 2 kilos to cut for the last day. That way, I'm more relaxed," Valentina Shevchenko concluded.