Holly Holm disappointed with UFC on FOX 20 loss to Valentina Shevchenko

Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm and multiple time muay thai champion Valentina Shevchenko put on a five round war, and the result may not have been what most mixed martial arts (MMA) fans expected. Both times she bounced back with a victory.

When you compare this matchup to the Tate one, however, this is a much more favourable fight for Holm in terms of what Shevchenko brings to the table as a fighter. Her endurance is outstanding, especially when you consider she’s one of the bigger women in this division and she’s more active than Shevchenko. Holm is the second ranked fighter in the division and Shevchenko is ranked seventh. Prediction: Curran via split decision victory.

For most of the fight, the 4-1 favourite lived up to expectations, piling up landed strikes and overcoming a few risky moments in a slow-paced but effective performance. Herrig (11-6) took on Hawiian prospect Kailin Curran, and not only won, but stopped her in under two minutes.

But things are very ludicrous in the UFC these days.

The bottom line is that Holm is the woman who beat Ronda Rousey, but unlike Rousey, she did not just step to the UFC’s beat. A March defeat for Holm to perennial contender Miesha Tate further muddied the waters, with the belt changing hands yet again as Amamda Nunes destroyed the ill-fated Tate. Nunes, now champion, is the only loss Shevchenko has had in the Octagon.

With speculations of Rousey’s return placing her comeback early 2017 yet, it is possible Holm and Nunes will have gotten a go at the title by then. Holm said in an Instagram post: “This is not the end for me”.

The woman standing in her way this time has the same ambitions. That would likely be preferable to Ronda Rousey, should she manage to get her title back.

Holly Holm has revealed that she will not be letting her guard down when she faces Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of UFC on FOX 20 on Saturday. That will be hard to do if Holm finds herself sliding towards a losing streak.

Her upcoming fight is Holm’s chance to reprise her name and to prove that she indeed has become a better fighter just like what she promised after being defeated by Tate. For Barboza, he continues to be a top-15 fighter and is looking to get a win to jump into the top-10. Having spent many years training under Mike Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she also has access to Greg Jackson, and all of the other excellent MMA coaches and training partners at the Jackson/Wink academy.

Holly Holm to win by decision. Nothing is promised for UFC fighters, especially those whose buzz is leaving them rather than increasing.

“Amanda, she is a good fighter”.

Holm’s command of distance and three-inch height advantage will likewise make things hard for Shevchenko: Holm’s front and side kicks can land at a range where Shevchenko can’t hit her back. Her execution of the former champion to claim gold was virtually flawless, exposing Rousey’s weaknesses on a different level than any other opponent she faced.