She's the best, and she'll beat Nunes in a rematch.
It's crazy to me that fucking Kyrgyzstan of all places is gonna be the first Asian country with a UFC champion.
I think she has everything, only lacks a bit power.
Valentina's got the best stand-up technique of any UFC fighter, male or female.
Supposedly she was 56-2 as a pro fighter in muay thai.
Her ground game has gaps. And that's probably what opponents will exploit.
Valentina's got the best stand-up technique of any UFC fighter, male or female.
Supposedly she was 56-2 as a pro fighter in muay thai.
Her ground game has gaps. And that's probably what opponents will exploit.
I'd say she is pretty close to Joanna as far as technique is concerned (Joanna's losses to her in Muay Thai were very early in Joanna's career). And after subbing Pena she has established herself as the most well rounded of the women by far. Exploiting the gaps in her ground game won't be an easy task
Joanna sometimes absorbs a lot of damage standing with UFC fighters. Valentina's defense on the feet is better, so I'd give her the edge.
The Pena fight was Valentina's first submission victory in 11 years. And Pena has a history of up-and-down performances.
Her improvements notwithstanding, Valentina's always going to be at a disadvantage against long-time ground fighters.