5 reasons why Valentina Shevchenko can beat Amanda Nunes in potential trilogy bout

#2. Valentina Shevchenko is composed in the line of fire

Despite her enormous success inside the octagon, Amanda Nunes is not a fighter of otherworldly skills like Georges St-Pierre or Alexander Volkanovski. Instead, Nunes is a fighter who possesses terrifying power and strategic efficacy. As a striker, her go-to techniques involve her powerful low kicks and jab-cross combinations.

As a grappler, she exhibits serviceable takedowns and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, it is her punching power and reach advantage that both trouble her foes the most, as Nunes uses her length and reach well. Similar to Francis Ngannou, Nunes' punching power causes her opponents to either enter the fight fearing her blows or it freezes them the moment she lands a punch due to most fighters being unaccustomed to facing such crippling punching power.

Valentina Shevchenko is different. Not only does she mitigate Nunes' chances of landing due to her neutralizing style of engagement and distance management, but she is also calm and comfortable in the line of fire because of her ability to fight while evading most of her opponent's blows. This is further magnified by Shevchenko's experience fighting Nunes, so she is very aware of what to expect in terms of power and will not allow Nunes to dictate striking engagements.

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#1. Valentina Shevchenko's cardio

The MMA world stood in shock when Julianna Peña dethroned Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. The Brazilian great was gassed out by the second round and subsequently fell victim to Peña's grit and determination. While Nunes' bout with COVID at the time was likely the culprit that time, she nevertheless has a history of struggling to manage her cardio.

Prior to her stunning loss at UFC 269, Nunes' last loss was to Cat Zingano 7 years ago. That loss was also due to Nunes' cardio failing her after she'd managed to dominate her foe in the early stages of the bout. Similarly, the competitive nature of the Brazilian's two bouts with 'Bullet' was partially due to her cardio waning in the closing rounds of the fights.

Valentina Shevchenko, on the other hand, possesses phenomenal cardio, having gone five rounds six separate times without ever tiring. By causing Nunes to overextend on her power punches while simultaneously dictating the pace of the bout, Shevchenko could cause her foe to tire and allow her superior gas tank to take over in the second half of the potential matchup.