Valentina Shevchenko defended her title for the first time at UFC 238 with a beautiful head kick knockout against Jessica Eye in the second round.
Valentina Shevchenko comes into UFC 238 looking for her first title defense. The Muay Thai champion was 3-2 at bantamweight with her two losses coming against pound-for-pound great Amanda Nunes. “Bullet” dropped to her natural weight of flyweight, where she dominated Priscilla Cachoeira in her debut. She then displayed her excellent skillset in a vacant title fight against strawweight great Joanna Jedrzejczyk to win the title.
Jessica Eye is looking to continue her career rejuvenation at flyweight. The Cleveland, Ohio, native was 1-5 at bantamweight, but since dropping to flyweight, Eye is 3-0. She is coming off the biggest win of her career, a decision against Katlyn Chookagian.
Valentina Shevchenko landed a pair of body kicks right away, and Jessica Eye looked to land massive hooks. She missed on one and Shevchenko ducked under into a clinch and scored an easy early takedown. The champion landed in side control, but Eye worked her way to half guard, then eventually full guard. Eye was able to stand up, but got thrown down again by Shevchenko. Again Shevchenko was in side control, then mounted crucifix. Instead of going for unblocked ground-and-pound, Shevchenko cranked an americana but ended up in bottom position to end the round after Eye rolled out of it.
More body kicks landed for Shevchenko to start the second round, then she went high with one and Eye was out cold. That’s all. An incredible head kick knockout for the flyweight champion and the Shevchenko era has been fully ushered in.
Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Eye by KO (Head Kick) in Round 2 (0:26)
