Valentina Shevchenko had a very close fight against Taila Santos at UFC 275 and many felt she could have lost the fight. Daniel Cormier recently came out and got very honest about how she should have lost.
A clash of heads heavily impacted the fight and Taila Santos suffered a broken orbital as a result. Daniel Cormier felt that Valentina Shevchenko would have lost if it wasn't for an accident at UFC 275.
“(It was a) accidental clash of heads that ultimately, to me, really did determine how this fight was going to play out,” Cormier said (via MMA Junkie).
“There is no reason for me to believe that anything was going to be different because every round Santos was able to do the same thing – get the takedown. … But in Round 4 and Round 5, Valentina showed her championship mettle.
“She showed that desire to retain that belt because she went forward, she threw caution to the wind, and she really did put it on Taila Santos.”
Daniel Cormier event went as far as to say that Taila Santos won the fight at UFC 275 and that her submissions should have counted as damage. Valentina Shevchenko did win the last two rounds in his eyes.
“I thought (Santos) won the fight,” Cormier said. “I think there’s value in those submission attempts.
“I understand it wasn’t under the neck, I understand that Valentina wasn’t squirming and fighting for her life, but every time Taila Santos put herself in position to chase those submissions there’s got to be some value in that.”
Many are hoping that Taila Santos gets a rematch against Valentina Shevchenko after her showing at UFC 275. Daniel Cormier isn't very sure that's such a good idea for the Brazilian.
“Here’s the problem for Taila Santos: I don’t believe that, in a rematch, she fights Valentina as close because I believe Valentina will make adjustments,” Cormier said.
“That (fight) was a bit of a surprise to a champion like Valentina Shevchenko.”
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