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During her career at UFC, Jessica Eye has learned to play the role of outsider.
As a tiny skinny weight, Eye managed to stand up against many of the world's best fighters at 135 pounds, but she knew that this division was never meant to be her home.
Now fighting for flyweight, Eye has won three straight streaks to win champion Valentina Shevchenko at the UFC 238 co-main event this weekend in Chicago.
Before joining the UFC, Eye had amassed an impressive 10-1 record with most of her 125 pound fights, but she still had to prove to the world that she was a legitimate threat to the championship.
In fact, Shevchenko will have about 13 favorites in the fight, making Eye one of the biggest underdogs in UFC championship history – and she would not have it otherwise.
"I had a bit of that real-life story about Rocky," Eye said speaking to MMAFighting. "People want me to do something really spectacular so that I feel really good, but yes, life changes for me. It's something I've always wanted. I have the impression of always being the champion of the people. I feel that people want that to happen.
"This is an example for people who have not given up. This is almost the case for people who have changed their lives and it's an inspiring story in which even if I suffer some losses in my career, with the right attitude, the right people and the right path, I can change my life. life. I think I have shown that you can do it. "
It is difficult to oppose the logic that Shevchenko does not deserve the kind of praise she has received since she fell to 125 pounds.
She decimated a Priscila Cachoeira in her debut and then dominated former straw champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk last December to win the flyweight title. Before losing weight, Shevchenko was the best contender at 135 pounds with a win over former champion Holly Holm and a pair of tight fights against defending champion Amanda Nunes, who is arguably the biggest female fighter of all the temperature.
Due to his resume and his past performance, Shevchenko is held in high regard and considered almost untouchable compared to any competitor competing in the middleweight division.
Eye has clearly become aware of this aura of invincibility that surrounds Shevchenko and has allowed him, in many ways, to prepare freely without any expectation of what will happen at UFC 238.
"I think a lot of people give it to him. It will be one of those things where it will be easier for me to lobby, "said Eye. "It avoids any pressure on me, because everyone already thinks that I'm not going to do it and she is capable of much more than me. I do not have a lot of pressure. "
In many ways, Eye has the impression that Shevchenko might believe that his own hype is heading towards UFC 238, giving him even more confidence in his ability to win and win the flyweight title around the world. of its size.
In fact, Eye feels she has better global skills than Shevchenko and she can not wait to show it on Saturday night.
"I think she takes me very lightly and she does not practice some of the things I'm really good at and she only practices things she's good at," Eye said. "She continues to practice Muay Thai until this fight and if she thinks it will stop my fight, the worst thing she can do is kick those kicks, because I'm going to take it back and I'll go down
"I think I have more ability to do more levels of martial arts and it's boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, I think I have more than what she has it and I can use it. "
Despite all that has been said about Shevchenko and the odds, this fight really comes down to one thing for the 32-year-old Ohio native and she realizes her dream of becoming a UFC champion.
"I want it because I want it for me. I want it financially. I want it for all the opportunities that come with it. I want power, "said Eye.
"That's all I could ask and I really believe in my heart that the time has come."
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