Looking to defend her UFC Flyweight Championship for the fourth time, Valentina Shevchenko fought Jennifer Maia in the co-main event of UFC 255. Here’s how the fight went.
Bout 11: Valentina Shevchenko (19-3) vs. Jennifer Maia (18-6-1) (UFC Flyweight Championship)
Shevchenko scored a takedown 30 seconds into the round, getting full guard on top. Shevchenko landed punches periodically from the position. Shevchenko kept the position until the round expired.
Shevchenko scored a takedown from the clinch early in the second round. Maia was able to get up quickly, staying in a clinch on the feet with Shevchenko. Maia scored a takedown from the clinch halfway through the round. Maia landed punches to the head of Shevchenko while being in control. Maia kept the position until the round ran out of time.
Shevchenko landed a hard left cross early in the third round. They clinched again in the second minute of the round, with Maia putting Shevchenko against the cage. They separated roughly a minute later. Shevchenko landed a two-punch combo in the third minute of the round. Shevchenko scored a body lock takedown on Maia after landing another two-punch combo. Shevchenko landed in side control on top, although Maia moved her into half guard quickly. Maia got back to her feet in a clinch in the final minute of the round. Shevchenko threw Maia down for a takedown from the clinch before the round concluded.
Shevchenko landed a left hand to start the fourth round. Both of them threw punches that connected early in the round. Shevchenko came forward to land a takedown from the clinch in the second minute of the round. Shevchenko took the back of Maia in the fourth minute of the round, although she went into half guard after Maia turned around. Shevchenko landed strikes from half guard until the round finished.
Shevchenko connected with jabs to start the fifth round. Maia closed the distance and clinched with Shevchenko in the first minute of the round. They left the clinch within the first minute of the round. Shevchenko put Maia against the cage after throwing a series of punches, although Maia was able to reverse the position shortly after. Maia failed to get Shevchenko down in the third minute of the round. The fight went back to a clinch in the fourth minute after going to striking for a minute. Shevchenko left the clinch with an elbow to the head. Damage on Maia’s face from strikes started to significantly show in the final round. They clinched before the round ran out of time. Shevchenko defended her belt when going to the judges (49-46, 49-46 & 49-46).
RESULT: Valentina Shevchenko def. Jennifer Maia via Decision, Unanimous
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
| Shevchenko | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 49 |
| Maia | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 46 |
Knockdown News 