UFC 215's Valentina Shevchenko doesn't want to think about trilogies just yet

EDMONTON – On Saturday, Valentina Shevchenko has the opportunity to avenge a loss to Amanda Nunes. Even more appealing, she can claim the UFC women’s bantamweight title.

But for now, Shevchenko is only thinking about the latter. The idea of putting a win on the scoreboard – and potentially setting up a trilogy fight – is secondary to capturing the gold she’s worked to win since she signed with the UFC in 2015.

“The most important thing is to win this fight,” Shevchenko (14-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) told MMAjunkie in advance of her pay-per-view rematch with champ Nunes (14-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at UFC 215, which takes place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. “I don’t like to have this count, 1-1, thinking about this kind of thing. It doesn’t matter what happens after in the future. The thing that matters for me is winning this fight.”

Unless their second meeting turns out to be a barnburner for the ages, it’s unlikely Shevchenko will even have to think about a third trip to the octagon against Nunes. Undoubtedly some of the contenders ex-champ Ronda Rousey beat during her reign of terror will get a second chance at gold. So Shevchenko is focusing on the challenge in front of her, and not the future.

It’s hard to get the 29-year-old Russian to talk about anything else. She was denied her opportunity just two months ago when Nunes fell ill and was unable to defend the title at UFC 213. Now, she feels it’s just within her grasp, and nothing will distract her.

To hear more from Shevchenko, check out the video above.

For more on UFC 215, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.