MMA Preview – Valentina Shevchenko vs Jessica Eye at UFC 238
THE FACTS
When is UFC 238? Sunday 9th June, 2019 – 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 238? United Center, Chicago, Illinois
What channel is UFC 238? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 238? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live and you can take advantage of a free trial with ESPN+ and subscribe now by clicking here!
Are tickets still available for UFC 238? http://uk.ufc.com/event-ticket-info?utm_source=ufc&utm_medium=tab&utm_campaign=tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
The queen of the flyweight division Valentina Shevchenko makes the first defence of her crown after outpointing Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title with Jessica Eye emerging as the unlikely contender after rejuvenating her career in her rightful division.
Shevchenko is one of the most skilled and decorated fighters in MMA and it is no surprise to see her with a belt on her shoulder after only two fights in the flyweight division. She previously fought her whole UFC career up at 135 lbs and the only fighter to beat her is the consensus pound-for-pound best female fighter in the world and current bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes, and these were two close decisions.
She fights Eye for her first defence who was on the brink of losing her place on the UFC roster after losing four in a row but flyweight is also her natural weight class, proven by winning her three fights in the division against Kalindra Faria, Jessica Rose-Clark and Katlyn Chookagian. She only scraped past these women in decisions but the division is still growing and she is one of few contenders worthy of standing in the octagon with Shevchenko at the moment.
THE PREDICTION
Eye’s experience will be crucial as she makes her 11th UFC appearance and although she hasn’t had much success in the octagon, we are only now witnessing here at her best as she is fighting in the right division. She is ready to display the best version of herself but unfortunately she is up against a fighter who is just on a different level.
Eye is a terrific boxer but Shevchenko is a multiple kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion. Eye is also a strong wrestler and dangerous in the clinch but Shevchenko is a black belt and master of sport in judo and after making a habit of out-grappling the bigger bantamweights, any flyweight will be foolish to tangle with her.
Shevchenko will have to be wary of Eye’s power but she is expected to outclass her on the feet and gradually pile on the damage with her timing and technique. Expect her to counter violently with combinations starting with the jab and ending with kicks while moving to avoid any damage coming her way.
Over three rounds, Eye is good enough to take her to a decision but we may see Shevchenko up the assault in the championship rounds, inflicting enough punishment to set up a submission.
Winner: Shevchenko via Submission
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric
