On June 12 in Kallang, Singapore, UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is looking to defend her belt once again against Taila Santos. This will be Shevchenko’s 7th time attempting to defend her belt. What a perfect place to do so as the first UFC PPV event in Southeast Asia.
Last Fight Record
Shevchenko has won 8 fights in a row, including 7 title fights. Her last loss was in the bantamweight division when she challenged UFC legend, Amanda Nunes.
Taila Santos is on a 4-fight winning streak that has led her to challenge for her first UFC championship. She lost her UFC debut and refocused on not dropping another fight since.
Shevchenko vs Santos Betting Analysis
Valentina Shevchenko
Every true MMA fan gets excited to watch Shevchenko perform. She is in a league of her own when it comes to technique and sharpness in the octagon. Her Muay Thai background allows her to be able to beat anyone in the division on the feet; all the while she’s improved in every single aspect of the sport to an elite level.
Shevchenko’s confidence is on display in the lead-up to this fight. The UFC odds makers have shown their confidence in her winning too. She is a big favorite in this one, something she is used to, and you can see in the latest MMA betting trends.
Taila Santos Content
The MMA betting trends have a lot of sportsbooks that started at that +550 range, and now she is more of a +450 in most books. This is still a very high-value bet considering all the factors that could come into play in the octagon.
Updates
- Santos publicly said Shevenchenko’s weakness is the ground, so expect this fight to stay down low.
- Shevchenko has won eight straight fights.
Shevchenko vs. Santos Betting Preview
Valentina Shevchenko does not have a lot of weight to cut this week, she was seen enjoying a healthy-sized plate of Southeast Asian food during fight week in Singapore, and that has to be a good sign of where she is at physically and mentally. She is going to be at her best walking into the cage on Saturday.
Santos is a very strong woman for the flyweight division. This might be the first matchup where her strength won’t be very apparent. She seems very confident and hungry to dethrone Shevchenko and make this division hers. It should be a very exciting fight on the feet if it stays there.
Santos uses her power and strength very well in the cage. She likes getting takedowns and controlling her opponents on top and on the feet. She has a very strong jab and right hand she can throw with ease.
Shevchenko, as we all know, is on a different level than everybody she has faced in this division. It will be tough to get to her because she has lived in martial arts since she was 5-years-old.
Shevchenko vs. Santos Betting Prediction
Shevchenko will look to impose her dominance early. She will try to make Santos feel like she doesn’t, in fact, belong in the cage with her. This is usually the case when women challenge Shevchenko for her belt.
Santos will probably try to fight behind her jab and enforce her will upon Shevchenko and show her that she is game. This is something we saw in the Nunes vs. Pena fight that might be used as a blueprint to beat these dominant champions. But, Santos will know it is dangerous when she gets into range of Shevchenko.
I believe that Shevchenko is really just too good all-around in UFC. Her kicking techniques and range management will need to come into play against a tall and lengthy Santos, but I guarantee she is up for the challenge. She wants to go up to bantamweight to be a double champ after this, which is all the motivation she needs to end her career in that high regard.
I think the long limbs of Santos might help her but also might be an easy target for Shevchenko to grab hold of and finish the fight. Look for an arm bar victory for Shevchenko since the moneyline just doesn’t have too much value in it.
It wouldn’t hurt to make a play on Santos because of these UFC odds makers and the huge underdog they have her at. Literally, anything can happen inside that cage on Saturday.
Final Prediction: Shevchenko to win by submission +545
How To Bet On Valentina Shevchenko Vs. Taila Santos
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