The prospect of a third fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Amanda Nunes could become a reality if Nunes successfully returns and captures the title in the bantamweight division.
Shevchenko and Nunes have already faced each other twice in the octagon — in 2016 and 2017. Both encounters ended with Nunes winning, but in the second fight, she won only by a split decision in a tense battle. Valentina has repeatedly expressed the opinion that that fight was unfairly awarded to her opponent.
After these bouts, Shevchenko did not return to the ring in the weight category up to 61 kg, focusing instead on the flyweight division, where she won the UFC championship title. Nunes, on the other hand, has not stepped into the octagon for about two and a half years, retiring at the peak of her career as a champion in two weight classes.
Amanda Nunes plans to return next month to challenge the current bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison at UFC 324. If the "Lioness" is successful, discussions about a possible trilogy with Shevchenko will certainly become relevant.
According to information from the athletes' circles, Nunes is not seeking regular title defenses and is only interested in major fights. A third fight with Valentina Shevchenko perfectly fits this format and could become one of the most anticipated events in women's MMA.
