In a fight at best a mismatch and at times hard to watch, former UFC bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko pulverized Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Belem.
Promoted to the co-main event on Saturday after the loss of John Dodson vs. Pedro Munhoz, Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight debut was very much in the spotlight. Opposite “Bullet” at UFC Belem was the little-known Priscila Cachoeira. Undefeated in her pro career, Cachoeira was a heavy underdog heading into the bout, and was looking for a shock upset over a former UFC bantamweight title challenger.
Shevchenko connected with a left hand early, and surprisingly, Cachoeira opted to stand and trade. The pair fired off a few more shots, and despite Shevchenko getting the better of the standup, she ducked under and scored a takedown. ‘Bullet’ then postured up, and began landing some heavy ground and pound. Huge elbows, brutal punches, and more elbows opened up Priscila Cachoeira. The canvas was painted with her blood spray as Shevchenko continued to work. Ref Mario Yamasaki took a close look at the action, but allowed it to continue for the time being. The rain of elbows continued; Cachoeira, closing her guard, held on. She could not, however, escape. Her face masked in blood, all she could hope for was to wait it out. Tying up Shevchenko’s neck opened her up to body shots, and with just under a minute to go, Valentina had scored nearly 70 strikes.
In round two, after a short exchange, Shevchenko landed a trip and took Cachoeira down early. Cachoeira looked to scramble back up, but Shevchenko moved right into side control. She worked for a kimura, and added in more short punches to her opponent’s head. Cachoeira looked something like a practice dummy, unable to escape or fight back. Shevchenko began unleashing a hellish flurry of strikes as Cachoeira gave up her back. Somehow, the ref opted not to rescue the helpless Brazilian, but Shevchenko managed to sink in a rear-naked choke and get the tap — effectively a mercy killing.
Valentina Shevchenko def. Priscila Cachoeira by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:25
