TLDR
- Valentina Shevchenko defeated Zhang Weili at UFC 322, tying Amanda Nunes’ record for most female title fight victories
- Shevchenko accepted Amanda Nunes’ challenge for a trilogy fight at 125 pounds, saying “let’s do it”
- The flyweight champion questioned what version of Nunes would return after two years of retirement
- Shevchenko suggested Nunes might be returning for money rather than legacy, which could affect her performance
- Other potential opponents include Kayla Harrison, Erin Blanchfield, and Natalia Silva at different weight classes
Valentina Shevchenko has opened the door to a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes at flyweight following her victory over Zhang Weili at UFC 322. The win extended Shevchenko’s reign and tied Nunes’ record for most female title fight victories in UFC history.
Shevchenko responded directly when asked about facing Nunes at 125 pounds. “Oh, let’s do it. Amanda, come on. 125. Yeah, let’s do it,” she told Ariel Helwani. The champion showed no hesitation about defending her belt against her longtime rival.
One of Valentina Shevchenko's former rivals crowned her the GOAT after #UFC322 🐐https://t.co/1R8jOiWmqD
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) November 18, 2025
The two fighters have met twice before, with Nunes winning both encounters. However, those fights took place at bantamweight and featherweight. A third meeting would happen in Shevchenko’s division for the first time.
Nunes retired after defeating Irene Aldana in 2023. She held both the bantamweight and featherweight titles during her career. Most observers considered her the greatest female fighter in MMA history.
But Nunes has been teasing a return to competition recently. She expressed interest in fighting both Kayla Harrison and dropping to flyweight to challenge Shevchenko. The UFC has not made any official announcements about her return.
Questions About Nunes’ Form
Shevchenko raised concerns about which version of Nunes would return after more than two years away. “It’s unknown in what shape she’s going to return. Half Amanda? Maybe full Amanda? Who knows,” she said.
The flyweight champion pointed to the reality of extended layoffs. “What shape will she be back? Is she coming back the same prime that she was? If she’s coming back just to get some money because she’s run out from money, it’s going to be different.”
Shevchenko suggested that financial motivation could produce a different performance than fighting for legacy. Nunes has claimed she would beat Harrison and then take Shevchenko’s belt “for the collection.” But Shevchenko dismissed this as just talk until Nunes signs a contract.
“She likes to talk a lot… she feels safe to speak now,” Shevchenko stated. She characterized Nunes as being in a strange position between retirement and returning. Without commitment, the champion views these statements as empty promises.
Other Options on the Table
Shevchenko is not limiting herself to just the Nunes trilogy. She mentioned Kayla Harrison as another potential opponent at 125 pounds. Harrison currently competes at bantamweight but could make the move down.
The champion also acknowledged strong contenders in her own division. She named Erin Blanchfield and Natalia Silva as “good challengers” at flyweight. A move up to bantamweight remains an option as well.
Who is NEXT for Valentina Shevchenko?#UFC322 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/16i78cVMu4
— Verbal Sparring MMA (@verbalsparmma) November 19, 2025
Shevchenko plans to recover from injuries sustained during her UFC 322 training camp before making decisions. She described that camp as one of the most difficult of her career. The preparation was designed for a war that never materialized against Weili.
The champion said she would sit down with her team after recovery to discuss next steps. She emphasized wanting fights that make sense rather than just ones creating noise. The UFC has not announced Shevchenko’s next opponent or timeline for her return.
