Tensions are ramping up between UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and Maycee Barber ahead of Barber’s fight at UFC Seattle.
UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber will face Valentina Shevchenko’s three-time foe, Alexa Grasso, in the UFC Seattle co-main event this Saturday. Barber and Grasso will compete in a title eliminator bout with high stakes in the women’s flyweight division.
Shevchenko is widely expected to face top contender Natalia Silva for her next title defense, but nothing is set in stone as of this writing. In the meantime, the beginnings of a fight promotion are taking shape between Shevchenko and Barber.
Shevchenko was mentioned in UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey’s recent criticism of the UFC, alluding that the women’s flyweight champion ‘has to have an OnlyFans account’ to make ends meet financially. Rousey has been especially critical of the UFC brass in recent weeks ahead of her comeback fight against Gina Carano.
After hearing about Rousey’s comments, it didn’t take long for Shevchenko to dismiss the sentiment, but that hasn’t stopped Barber from getting involved in their back-and-forth.
Valentina Shevchenko slams Maycee Barber after mocking champ’s stray from Ronda Rousey
Barber aimed at Shevchenko during a recent sitdown with MMA Fighting.
“Ronda Rousey is the reason why Valentina gets to fight in the UFC,” Barber said of Shevchenko.
“And Valentina’s lack of personality is the reason why Valentina has an [OnlyFans].”
In a recent Instagram comment, Shevchenko responded to Barber’s jab.
“Study history, silly baby!” Shevchenko responded.
“By the time your ‘idol’ first stepped into the Octagon as an amateur fighter, I was already World MMA Champion with a 7-0 pro record!”
This isn’t the first time that Barber and Shevchenko have traded barbs. Barber has repeatedly promised to ‘dominate’ Shevchenko in a potential fight, and has slammed the champion’s style as ‘boring’ and lacking excitement.
What is your prediction for a potential Valentina Shevchenko vs. Maycee Barber fight? Let us know in the comments!