Valentina Shevchenko defends Mario Yamasaki's stoppage: 'She didn't want to quit easily'

UFC women’s flyweight title contender Valentina Shevchenko’s first plan of action is some rest and relaxation after her recent win over Priscila Cachoeira.

But if the UFC calls her with a title shot offer against Nicco Montano, her answer is, “Let’s do it tomorrow,” Shevchenko today told MMAjunkie Radio.

Shevchenko (15-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) pounded Cachoeira (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) for the better part of two rounds before cinching a submission by rear-naked choke. Her victory was overshadowed by criticism for veteran referee Mario Yamasaki, who missed Cachoeira’s first tap and let her take dozens of unanswered punches.

Although Shevchenko was more focused on her job than the referee’s performance on fight night, she defended Yamasaki’s decision to stop the fight when he did.

“I’m a fighter, and my job is to finish every fight,” she said. “During the fight, I was just doing my job to make her quit. But every time she showed her character, she was moving and doing something. She didn’t want to quit easily. That’s why at the end of the second round, I knew I had to do more and went for the submission.

“I think the fight was right, and I wouldn’t change anything else.”

Now, her training will shift to meeting the challenge of facing inaugural flyweight champ Montano (4-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who is recovering from a foot injury and needs time to heal after capturing the belt this past December.

While the champ heals up, Shevchenko will train and wait for the call from her promoter. While her current conquest is foremost in her mind, she’s not limiting herself to one UFC title. A third fight with bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes also beckons.

Shevchenko took on Nunes last September at UFC 215 and lost a split decision. It was the second time judges robbed her of a victory over the Brazilian and her first setback in a title bout. She hasn’t forgotten about the experience and is determined to erase it.

“For right now, I’m focused on my new weight category,” Shevchenko said. “I want to have a few successful fights, and we’ll see what comes next. Also, my plan is to have the third fight against Amanda, because we still have unfinished business, and even more knowing the last fight, I didn’t lose. I want to have my rematch in the future.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 125, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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