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“For this fight I had a long training camp because I was preparing for the event on April 25,” Shevchenko. “But with all the gyms closed we had to find places outdoors. First, we traveled to Phoenix. Then the gym closed. So we found places near lakes and mountains so I know many places in Phoenix and Las Vegas.”
What could be the end result of all this training and preparation? Shevchenko thinks it’s an opportunity to move closer to the title. How could a win over the No. 2 contender not?
Of course, there’s an obvious bump in the road were Shevchenko to become worthy of a title shot. Her sister is the champion of the division and they won’t be fighting each other.
“I think so, yes,” Shevchenko said about being in the title conversation with a win on Saturday. “(Chookagian) is number two. Of course, my sister is the champion and I will not fight her, but if she, for example, moves on to the 135-pound division, then I will be in position.”
Shevchenko points to the possibility of Valentina moving to bantamweight to fight Amanda Nunes. The rumors and hopes of a third bout between Valentina and Nunes have escalated even further after Valentina’s dominant performance against Chookagian.
But for now, Chookagian is exactly where Shevchenko’s focus will remain.
“Every fight is very important, but this is a big fight.”
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