Valentina Shevchenko surprisingly responds to callout from ex-UFC fighter
Valentina Shevchenko is set to defend her women's flyweight title against Alexa Grasso at UFC 285. But ahead of her return, the champion recently found time to respond to a callout from the 125-pound titleholder of a different promotion.
Deep Jewels flyweight champion Rin Nakai secured her 10th-straight finish against Aoi Kuriyama at Deep Jewels 40. After the bout, Nakai issued a polite callout to Shevchenko, who was in attendance for an earlier contest:
“Valentina [Shevchenko] came to watch Paraestra Kashiwa’s fighters in the Future King Tournament [earlier in the day], but she left the venue before I fought. I want to know how she felt about my performance. [Shevchenko] is the very best talent and I have respect for her. I want to fight her, but my intent is not rude and I admit that she is the best in the world. I can possibly fight in another organization if [management company] Iridium wants. We are waiting on an offer.” [h/t MMA Rising]
Valentina Shevchenko responded by inviting Nakai back to the UFC and challenging her to enter the top 10 in the flyweight division. 'Bullet' also congratulated Nakai on her victory.
".@RinNakai2 Come back to .@ufc get yourself into to #Top10 and I am willing to check your skills [fisted hand emoji] Also congratulations with your recent victory"
Check out her tweet below:
.@RinNakai2
Come back to .@ufc get yourself into to #Top10 and I am willing to check your skills 👊👊
Also congratulations with your recent victory 👊 twitter.com/mmarising/stat…
Rin Nakai fought twice inside the UFC octagon way back in 2014 and 2016. The Japanese fighter competed at bantamweight since the women's flyweight division did not yet exist in the promotion. Nakai lost both her fights against Miesha Tate and Leslie Smith via unanimous decision and left the promotion soon after.
Nakai has won every fight before and since her UFC stint, and is currently on a 10-fight win streak.
Erin Blanchfield has her sights set on Valentina Shevchenko's flyweight title
UFC flyweight Erin Blanchfield extended her winning streak to eight against former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade at UFC Vegas 69 this past weekend.
It was Blanchfield's third straight submission victory and saw her jump to No.3 in the flyweight rankings. The statement victory has established 'Cold Blooded' as a bonafide contender.
Blanchfield spoke after her fight and stated that she wanted to fight champion Valentina Shevchenko next. She also predicted that the champ will trump Alexa Grasso at UFC 285.
She said:
"I would definitely prefer Shevchenko, you know? I think she beats Grasso. Grasso is [a] very thought fighter, but I want to be that one to take the title from her [Valentina Shevchenko]."
Check out Erin Blanchfield's comments at the post-fght presser below: