LAS VEGAS – Valentina Shevchenko is “new” again.

For the first time in over a year and a half, Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) holds title gold – something that was a familiar feeling in the years leading up to her UFC 285 loss to Alexa Grasso in March 2023.

“It was my third fight with Alexa and I don’t know, I just feel so different, so powerful, so strong — even better than a few years ago,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight press conference. “This power, I just felt it in my veins, in everything. I think it’s a good thing for a fighter. If you don’t evolve, it’s like, ‘Okay, it’s time to retire.’ But if you feel strong and powerful and continue doing these difficult things that you do, but you love it, then that’s kind of what’s important. Rest — it doesn’t matter.”

Sitting at the press conference table, Shevchenko maintained her usual level of professionalism and poise—but with a more relaxed, radiant look than usual. A sense of comfort in knowing that the universe was aligned as she wanted it to be projected outward.

“I’m so happy about everything – absolutely,” Shevchenko said. “I’m so happy to give back what’s mine. It was a year without the belt. It felt so strange. It’s really hard to present all the emotions that are going through me now, because with all the adrenaline and that post-fight stuff that happened. I think tomorrow I would answer the question exactly. But right now I’m just happy that everything is fine, in two words.”

Shevchenko began the event 0-1-1 against Grasso (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC), the promotion’s women’s flyweight titleholder, but won by unanimous decision. The third time was the charm.

“This title, what it means to me, is the whole story (of) losing the title because of my own mistakes that I made in the first match,” Shevchenko said. “Then I fought the second match and won the match and got a draw. Then, this third match, this five-month training camp, it was so intense for me, not only physically but mentally. It’s thinking every time about how to get better. … Before this particular match, I felt so much energy inside me, monstrous energy, and I just let it go and went with everything into this match.”

Now back on the flyweight throne, Shevchenko declined to name her next fight, saying she’s leaving it up to the UFC to sort them out. She plans to simply topple them.

“To be the best, you have to win (against) the best,” Shevchenko said. “That’s my mindset every time. That defines me, who I am. That’s why I never pick my opponent and say, ‘Oh, this one. I’m not going for this one, I’ll probably go for another one.’ No, that’s not me. It’s very difficult for me to say that now. … It was a super intense preparation for this fight, not only physically, or training-wise or anything, but mentally it was super tough. Every time you go to bed, you think about what you need to do differently with the training, what technique you need to use to improve your game. Now, finally the first night after five or six months, I can sleep and enjoy my sleep.”

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC 306 event hub.