UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko in an interview with , she explained her words that she did not consider the Russian fighter Islam Makhachev favorite in the upcoming fight with Brazilian Charles Oliveira.
Makhachev will fight for the UFC title against Oliveira in October in Abu Dhabi. Earlier in an interview on James Lynch’s YouTube channel, Shevchenko said: “It’s surprising that bookies see Makhachev as the favourite. Oliveira has fought higher rated opponents, but Islam never got a chance to fight someone in the top 5.
– They are [Махачев и Оливейра] both are very cool fighters, both have very good technique, skill, attitude. And, of course, Oliveira should not be ignored. In general, no one should be dismissed in MMA. If both approach deliberately and deliberately, then both have an equal chance for the championship.
– Let’s clarify – it seems to you that it is not entirely correct to cite Makhachev as a clear favorite, as bookmakers do?
– Yeah, I didn’t go into the quotes in depth, but Oliveira fought Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, fighters who give very competitive fights. It’s hard to talk about a man when you haven’t seen his level against elite fighters. We know that Islam is a great fighter, but we still want to see how it will fight against the elite.
It’s like with Chimaev: there was hype around him, but he dropped lower level fighters left and right, and Gilbert Burns, the elite, came out, and the fight went away. unfolded differently. And we know that Kamaru Usma is still far ahead. You have just opened your eyes to something new. So I want to see how the fighter will show his character and technique with those who are stronger,” Shevchenko said.
Source : MatchTV
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