Valentina Shevchenko responds in depth on ‘unprofessional’ Nicco Montano after fight cancellation

Drama at the weigh-ins for UFC 228 was guaranteed as we waited for Darren Till and Tyron Woodley to hit the scale. Surprisingly, the drama had nothing to do with them.

The event’s co-main event was set to feature the first defense of the women’s flyweight championship as the titleholder and season 26 winner of The Ultimate Fighter Nicco Montano was to take on Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko.

Unfortunately, Montano would be hospitalized during her weight cut thus forcing the UFC to cancel the fight. It has since been determined that the issue was in regards to the function of Montano’s kidneys.

Of course, this left a rather unhappy would-be challenger in Shevchenko who took to social media to offer up a response to what had transpired.

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— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) September 7, 2018

I am not surprised about this situation with Nicco.
And I told it before, she can pull out from the fight at anytime. She was trying to avoid this fight several times already. It is my 3rd preparation for this fight.
Looks like it was her plan from the beginning, to show up for the fight week , to build up her name, speak confident and secure, and then escape from the fight in the last minutes.
She was speaking about Fighting spirit and character…. What kind of fighting spirit she is talking about? I don’t believe in a version about health issues, she was looking totally fine in open work out and media day. Her actions are totally unprofessional!
First of all I am very sorry for all my fans who came to support me! I am very upset about all this happening. I was preparing for this fight hard and serious. My plan was to leave Dallas with the belt.
I will keep moving forward.
And will seize the next opportunity to take what is mine.
Thank you everyone of my dear friends for your support!

Shevchenko hasn’t fought since February when she made her return to the flyweight division for the first time in 12 years. Shevchenko would absolutely obliterate the clearly outmatched Priscila Cachoeira on route to a second round submission win.

As for the champion Montano, she hasn’t fought since she became the inaugural champion in December by defeating Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision. A lingering foot injury that she went into the fight with kept her out of action for the majority of the year.

on 9/7/2018