Kamaru Usman Defends Khabib Nurmagomedov Amid Backlash Over Women MMA Comment

Usman defending his friend and training partner is understandable on a personal level, regardless of where the broader audience lands on the substance of what was said. The women competing at the highest levels of the sport have never needed anyone’s permission to be there. The results speak clearly enough on their own.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Meanwhile, Valentina Shevchenko lambasted Khabib for his remarks.

Valentina Shevchenko Shuts Down Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Take on Women’s MMA

Shevchenko hit back at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments about women in MMA. She spoke about strong women like her sister, who is an airline captain, and the Night Witches, the famous all-female bomber group from World War II. She made it clear that strength does not depend on being a man or a woman. As per her, martial arts is about skill, discipline, and becoming stronger as a person.

“Martial arts represent a warrior tradition where there is no distinction between man and woman. There is only the Art itself. That is precisely why people train: to become more graceful, stronger, and wiser—and to ensure that no one ever gets the chance to punch them in the face,” Shevchenko said.

The divisions Ronda Rousey helped build from scratch have produced generational talents. That list includes Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko, and Zhang Weili. These fighters, along with the generation that followed, have delivered performances that stand alongside anything seen in the men’s divisions in both skill and entertainment.