UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko dropped down for her flyweight debut last night in Belem. Unfortunately for her opponent, the loss in weight didn’t take away any of ‘Bullet’s’ ferocity…
After dropping a controversial split decision to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215, former child prodigy Valentina Shevchenko decided to make a change. With the announcement of the UFC women’s flyweight division came a new opportunity, and ‘Bullet’ jumped ship.
Shedding 10 pounds to fight at 125, Shevchenko made her flyweight debut at UFC Fight Night 125 in Mangueirinho Gymnasium in Belem, Brazil. Featured at the top of the card were ex-light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and Eryk Anders.
All eyes, though, were on Shevchenko as she took on the debutant Priscila Cachoeira. Also known as ‘Zombie Girl,’ Cachoeira is renowned for her toughness and was undefeated prior to facing Shevchenko in her home country of Brazil.
Shevchenko wanted to make a statement in her flyweight debut, and it was ugly.
Rough Night For Priscila
During one of the most one-sided beatdowns you’ll ever see, Shevchenko punished Cachoeira with 100 punches, while the Brazilian only landed two of her own. It was by all accounts a graphic scene.
Referee Mario Yamasaki has come under heavy fire for his typically laxed style of officiating after the co-main event.
Watch for yourselves, if you have the stomach:
Nasty
Meanwhile, in the main event, it was a typical Lyoto Machida performance. The former 205-pound champion has just not looked the same since his comeback from USADA suspension, although he did beat a touted prospect in Eryk Anders last night.
It was indeed a close fight, and ‘The Dragon had to fight back against a grizzly cut that poured blood all over the place. Still, not really worthy of even showing the highlights.
Check out the full UFC Belem results below:
UFC Belem Results List
Lyoto Machida vs. Eryk Anders — Machida def. Anders by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Valentina Shevchenko — Shevchenko def. Cachoeira by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:25 of Round Two
Desmond Green vs. Michel Prazeres — Prazeres def. Green by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Marcelo Golm vs. Timothy Johnson — Johnson def. Golm by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Douglas de Andrade vs. Marlon Vera — Andrade def. Vera by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Thiago Santos vs. Anthony Smith — Santos def. Smith by TKO (body kick and punches) at 1:03 of Round Two
Tim Means vs. Sergio Moraes — Moraes def. Means by split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
Damir Hadzovic vs. Alan Patrick — Patrick def. Hadzovic by unanimous decision (30-25, 37-27 x2)
Polyana Viana vs. Maia Stevenson — Viana def. Stevenson by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:50 of Round One
Iuri Alcantara vs. Joe Soto — Alcantara def. Soto by TKO (punches) at 1:06 of Round One
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Morales — Figueiredo def. Morales by TKO (punches) at 4:34 of Round Two
