The UFC 255 co-main event features a featherweight title fight between champ Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia. Heading into the fight, Maia is a huge underdog. However, the history of combat sports is full of anecdotes where the underdogs have risen to the occasion and shocked the world. Therefore, we look at how the Brazilian can script one of the biggest upsets in recent history.

Maia is coming off a submission win over Joanne Calderwood in her last fight. However, prior to that, she missed weight in her previous two outings. Heading into this fight, there were questions if Maia could make championship weight or not. She ended all those doubts by successfully overcoming the first hurdle in the process of becoming the next champ.

The real test for Maia will, however, come when she steps inside the Octagon against one of the most dominant female fighters of this era. On paper, Shevchenko outclasses her opponent in every possible regard. The flyweight queen is the better striker and a more potent threat on the ground. Therefore, Maia will have to fight the perfect fight if she wishes to become the flyweight champ.

Jennifer Maia will have to pile on the damage in the early rounds

Shevchenko is known for utilizing her kicks very effectively. She stopped Jessica Eye with a highlight reel head kick knockout. Therefore, Maia can’t stay out of her punching range. If that happens, Shevchenko will easily work from the outside and before Maia knows, the damage would’ve already been done.

Shevchenko also doesn’t mind playing the waiting game. She has proven that she can stay back and not be the aggressor while still being ahead in the fight. On the flip side, Maia has a good record being a counter puncher. Therefore, if Maia wishes to have a chance, she will have to bring the fight to Shevchenko and make her react.

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On top of it, she will have to maintain the close boxing range and even force the clinch. From there on, she can try to push her opponent to the fence and make it as scrappy as possible. Being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Maia may feel tempted to take Shevchenko to the ground. However, she may want to refrain from doing the same as Shevchenko has an excellent record on the ground as well.

If one had to stimulate the fight a hundred times Shevchenko will probably be the winner on more than ninety occasions. However, that doesn’t mean Maia can’t stun the viewers. One has to realize that the possibility of it depends on if Maia can fight the perfect fight or not.

UFC 255: Valentina Shevchenko vs Jennifer Maia- Prediction and Analysis