Valentina Shevchenko reveals the one reason that would make her reject another Amanda Nunes fight

Valentina Shevchenko is interested in a trilogy fight against Amanda Nunes — on one condition.

Some big fights could await the flyweight champion in 2026 after her successful outing in last Saturday’s UFC 322 co-main event at Madison Square Garden.

Shevchenko dominated strawweight legend Zhang Weili to successfully defend her 125-pound crown for the second time since returning to the throne in 2024. In doing so, ‘Bullet’ spoiled the Chinese star’s hopes to achieve two-division supremacy.

Talk has since turned to the possibility of the Kyrgyzstani fighter pursuing that feat herself. Kayla Harrison is targeting Shevchenko for the UFC’s White House event next June after ‘whooping’ Amanda Nunes earlier in the year.

Should Nunes become bantamweight queen again, Shevchenko could be looking at a third attempt at getting the better of the ‘Lioness’ inside the Octagon. But one thing could prevent that from happening.

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Valentina Shevchenko only wants Amanda Nunes at her best

Ahead of her triumph at UFC 322, Shevchenko addressed speculation about a long-discussed trilogy fight with Nunes.

The consensus women’s GOAT vacated her featherweight and bantamweight titles upon a sudden retirement in 2023, but Nunes soon hinted at a UFC comeback. That is expected to come in the form of a clash of ex-teammates against bantamweight champ Harrison.

Beyond that return fight, a showdown with Nunes could be of interest for Shevchenko — if the ‘Lioness’ is back to her best.

“When it comes to Amanda Nunes, it will depend on what shape she returns to the octagon in,” Shevchenko said in a Stake interview.

“If she returns in 50 percent shape, I don’t want that fight. I don’t want to fight a fighter who is not at their best.

“I want to fight someone when they are at their best,” she added.