Valentina Shevchenko is discrediting Erin Blanchfield’s win towards Jessica Andrade.
Blanchfield put the UFC girls’s flyweight division on discover by securing a second-round submission towards Andrade. ‘Chilly Blooded’ is now ranked quantity three with an opportunity at preventing for the title subsequent day out.
Reigning flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko joined James Lynch to debate the UFC Vegas 69 essential occasion and had this to say about Andrade doubtlessly not being absolutely ready:
“I’ve big doubts that Jessica even educated for that battle. I feel that she was like enjoyable on the seaside in Brazil like great things with the household, after which, ‘oh my god, I’ve a name.’ [The UFC said] do you wanna battle in a single week? She mentioned, ‘sure, why not? I would like some cash,’ and she or he went in there.”
Blanchfield was initially imagined to battle Taila Santos earlier than the Brazilian pulled out resulting from visa points. Consequently, ‘Bate Estaca’ stepped up on quick discover and solely had every week to organize for the younger phenom. No matter Andrade’s preparation time, ‘Chilly Blooded’ beat a former world champion, additional validating her potential to win a UFC title sooner or later.
Watch Valentina Shevchenko focus on Erin Blanchfield under:
Valentina Shevchenko thinks Erin Blanchfield is just too inexperienced for a title battle
Erin Blanchfield has been calling for a girls’s flyweight title shot since her hand was raised towards Jessica Andrade. With Taila Santos and Manon Fiorot seemingly needing one other win earlier than preventing for the throne, Blanchfield has a strong argument for a world championship alternative subsequent day out.
Throughout the identical interview with James Lynch, Valentina Shevchenko had this to say about Blanchfield:
“Erin, she’s speaking an excessive amount of proper now, utilizing the chance to carry her identify up and yeah, she’s younger. She’s type of like 23 years previous. That is what she has to do however I feel, for the title battle, she remains to be inexperienced… For me, she appears like just a little, pleased pet.”
Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title towards Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 on March 4. If ‘Bullet’ emerges victorious, the probably title challenger at 125 kilos can be Blanchfield. There may be nonetheless a risk that the Kyrgyzstan native might transfer as much as 135 kilos for a trilogy battle towards Amanda Nunes. Earlier than worrying about what’s subsequent, the 34-year-old shouldn’t overlook Grasso.