Everyone admitted that Shevchenko was robbed of victory. Maybe the UFC will just give the belt to Valya?
Sergey Sorokin September 20, 2023, 19:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
To regain the championship title, Bullet risked his health.
It’s been just a few days since Valentina Shevchenko failed to regain her UFC championship belt. The fight with Alexa Grasso sensationally ended in a draw. And it’s worth noting that the judges’ decision was actually very controversial. Now many fighters, commentators and even the heads of the league themselves are inclined to believe that a real robbery occurred. Almost everyone is sure that Bullet should have received the championship belt. They indiscriminately criticize referee Michael Bell.
Title fight details:
I didn’t lose, but that makes me even sadder. Shevchenko failed to return the championship belt
One of the first to speak was former UFC champion and now commentator and analyst Michael Bisping: “Shevchenko won the fifth round. He dominated most of the round and made a mistake when Grasso raised, but quickly corrected himself. He would give the fifth round to Shevchenko.”
Then the former UFC champion in two weight classes, American veteran Henry Cejudo, spoke very harshly. He didn’t mince his words: “Does Alexa Grasso deserve to go 10-8 in the last round? In my opinion, this doesn’t make any sense. Did Alexa win the fifth round? Hundred percent. Was it a 10-8 round? Absolutely not. Mike Bell, you make me sick. You just make me sick. “You should stop refereeing because you understand absolutely nothing about MMA.”
But the most fiery reaction, perhaps, was that of Dana White, who was simply angry. He did not cover for anyone and simply expressed his opinion.
Dana Blanco
President of the UFC
“When I found out that one of the judges had scored it 10-8, I said this guy should be prosecuted for this. This is the craziest nonsense I have ever seen in my life. “I’ve started talking to people and I think there will be a workshop tomorrow with the Nevada State Athletic Commission about this decision, so I hope they can clear things up.”
Valentina is especially hurt because she really risked a lot. The bullet sacrificed her health and she suffered a comminuted fracture. According to her team, after the operation she will walk in a cast for a month and she will not be able to put any weight on her arm or hit her for another three months. The famous journalist Ariel Helwani spoke about this. Thus, the real date of return to the octagon may be the spring of next year.
The confrontation is not over yet:
Does the UFC need a trilogy? Shevchenko did not return the belt due to the judge’s strange decision
Of course, many would like to see Valentina give the belt right now. But, frankly, at the moment this is simply impossible. And yet, the organization understands that it really is theft. For this reason, Dana White promised that Shevchenko and Grasso would have another fight. Puli will have one last chance to put the championship belt back on his shoulder. Therefore, he has to prepare as much as possible for the battle.
