'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko are two of the most dominant female athletes the world of Mixed Martial Arts has ever seen. Although they fight in different weight classes now, the pair have shared the octagon on two previous occasions.
With 'The Lioness' returning to her throne in the featherweight division, a potential trilogy matchup between the two is all fans can talk about.
The UFC's P4P best female fighter, Amanda Nunes, won her world title back from Julianna Peña in July this year. Nunes had lost to Peña in their initial outing in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history. Julianna Peña put on the performance of a lifetime to dethrone the most dominant women's UFC Champion.
However, seven months later, 'The Lioness' dominated her in the rematch and got the featherweight title back.
Following her latest win, fans have been wondering who the Brazilian should fight next after wiping out nearly the entire division. Valentina Shevchenko is the one woman who fans think will give Nunes a tough time. Take a look at the pair's fight history.
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko I
Back in 2015, two women's bantamweight prospects fought each other at UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz. The bantamweight champion at the time, Holly Holm, was also looking to defend her title against Miesha Tate. Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko had a very close fight, with both fighters grinding it out till the end. However, the Brazilian had a bit of an edge over Shevchenko.
This win resulted in her getting a title shot against Miesha Tate just four months later. 'The Lioness', after KO'ing Tate, defended her belt against former champion Ronda Rousey and staked her claim as a legitimate champion.
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko II
Eighteen months after their first fight, the pair stepped into the ring to face each other for the second time at UFC 215 as the headliner. The fight took place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The second fight did not dissappoint, and was in fact even closer than the first fight. The Brazilian somehow managed to scrape a split-decision victory to defend her title for the second time.
However, the outcome was quite controversial, with many claiming Shevchenko was "robbed" of a win by the judges. Fans are now calling for a trilogy fight to settle the rivalry once and for all. Dana White, the UFC president, is also very keen to make the fight happen.
