5 reasons why the UFC should not book a third fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko

#2. There’s nothing wrong with having dominant champions in the UFC

The UFC has always been built around dominant champions like Amanda Nunes

While the UFC naturally likes to provide the toughest tests possible for its champions, it’s also important to remember that the promotion was built on the back of dominant champions and their title reigns. Far more people look fondly upon Anderson Silva’s seven-year reign as UFC middleweight champion than they do the period just after it, when the title was passed around like a hot potato, for instance.

And there’s a reason that Kamaru Usman is now garnering a massive fanbase despite not being the most charismatic fighter. It’s because he’s a massively dominant UFC champion who usually destroys his opponents. In the case of Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, though, some fans seem to believe that their dominance is something to be looked down upon and so the only choice is a fight between them.

That just isn’t the case, though. After all, would anyone really care about the women’s flyweight division if it didn’t have a virtuoso champion like ‘Bullet’ at the top?

The UFC women’s bantamweight division is a little different, but the fact that an all-time great like Nunes still rules over it instantly makes it a much more fascinating place, too.

Essentially, having a dominant champion doesn’t mean a UFC division is weak. It just means that an all-time great is at work. And so surely it’s better to keep those dominant champions apart and let them continue to create a legacy.

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#1. Their last clash was one of the worst UFC title fights of all time

Amanda Nunes' fight with Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 215 was one of the worst UFC title fights of all time

UFC fans clamoring for a third fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko would probably do well to remember their most recent meeting before they continue their demands.

While their first meeting at UFC 196 was a relatively entertaining fight eventually won by Nunes, the same cannot be said for their second bout. That fight headlined UFC 215 in September 2017. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement.

The 'Lioness’ and ‘Bullet’ treated the fans in Vancouver to a display of excellent technical striking that night. Unfortunately though, the fight was also hugely lacking in aggression, drama and any kind of memorable moments.

When the five-round clash eventually ended, most fans were largely relieved. That relief continued when Nunes was declared the winner by split decision, as had the fight gone to a draw, the appetite for a rematch would’ve been non-existent.

And while both women have destroyed opponents in their respective divisions in the years that have followed, it’s hard to imagine a third fight between them wouldn’t follow the same pattern.

Essentially, Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2 was widely seen as one of the worst UFC title fights of all time. So why would the promotion want to book the fight again? In a world in which the UFC is always looking to promote entertaining fights, they’d be insane to even attempt it.