UFC Flyweight Queen Nicco Montano Says She’s not Ducking Valentina Shevchenko

Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano became the inaugural UFC women’s 125-pound champion in December after earning a unanimous decision victory over veteran Roxanne Modafferi.

Montano, who is recovering from a broken foot which she aggravated before the championship fight, has had to fend off accusations that she is avoiding a fight against Valentina Shevchenko.

Shevchenko recently moved down to the flyweight division after her loss against bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Shevchenko made easy work of Priscila Cachoeira in her debut at 125 pounds last month, winning by second-round submission with the victory securing her status as the No. 1 contender.

Montano recently talked with KRQE about a potential return to action this summer (via MMAJunkie.com):

“I’m shooting for this summer. I’m really hoping to get on that Vegas card (at UFC 226). I had to fight through this injury the last time too, and the (UFC Performance Institute) helped me out a bunch. I think that it could have turned out a different way without that support, so I’m really hoping for that July card in Las Vegas.”