Valentina Shevchenko (18-3) knocked out Jessica Eye (14-8) with a devastating head kick to successfully defend her UFC flyweight title at UFC 238 on Saturday, June 9, from the United Center in Chicago.
Shevchenko was dominant in the first, setting things up with body kicks before peppering Eye with shots to the head. Shevchenko ended the round by taking her to the ground and nearly submitting her.
Cleveland tough!@JessicaEvilEye refuses to tap at the end of round one. #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/41CRspCpB8
— UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2019
Twenty-six seconds into the second round, Shevchenko threw a left head kick and knocked her out cold. Eye was out for minutes after the fight before eventually coming to and walking out of the Octagon under her own power.
On the button. Shin to head isn’t a good mix, ever. RT Valentina Shevchenko has MURDERED Jessica Eye…#UFC238 https://t.co/8hdfnCbXtS
— Maverick (@boi1der06) June 9, 2019
The loss is a tough one for Eye to swallow, after winning three-consecutive bouts on her way to the title fight. She had talked about being thrilled to fight at flyweight again after four losses at bantamweight.
Shevchenko’s dominant win is her third in a row, after submitting Priscila Cachoeira and winning the flyweight title from Joanna Jedrzejczyk. With her only losses coming at the hands of double champ Amanda Nunes (twice), Shevchenko is quickly building a resume as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. With her sixth knockout, Shevchenko now has 13 finishes in 18 wins.
