Priscila Cachoeira: UFC Debut vs. Valentina Shevchenko Will Be ‘Realization of a Dream’

Priscila Cachoeira, one of the promising young talents on the Brazilian MMA scene, will take a major step in her career at the beginning of 2018.

A 28-year-old training partner of former UFC title challenger Jessica Andrade, Cachoeira received her blue belt in jiu-jitsu earlier this week. Soon, “Pedrita” will make her Octagon debut against Valentina Shevchenko in the flyweight division at UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil, on Feb. 3. Shevchenko is coming off a narrow split-decision loss to Amanda Nunes in a bantamweight championship tilt this past summer.

“It is the realization of a dream,’ Cachoeira said. “When I started fighting, I said that I would be joining the UFC in less than three years. Time passed, and in one year and three months I did. It was less than a year and a half.”

  Cachoeira has compiled an 8-0 record since beginning her professional career in June 2016. She was initially scheduled to face Lauren Murphy at “The Ultimate Fighter 26” finale earlier this month, but visa issues forced the Brazilian to withdraw from that proposed bout.