Before Miranda Maverick can get Valentina Shevchenko one day, she’ll take sister Antonina first

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: (R-L) Miranda Maverick punches Gillian Robertson of Canada in their lightweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m pretty hard on myself. I want to go back and rewatch it. I obviously made a mistake in the second round. I honestly can’t remember how I got taken down specifically. I defended the submissions well, but I wish I could have turned it around a little bit faster and have been on top.

“I know I have that capability, I was just being very cautious of not getting submitted considering I knew that’s what her game plan was. Aside from that, I think my striking was executed very well. I showed a little bit more of what I could do and hope to just get more and more well-rounded and have better cardio next time I come in.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: (R-L) Gillian Robertson of Canada kicks Miranda Maverick in their lightweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“For one, I don’t like the whole age thing being mentioned. I do like that I’m young and got more ahead, but I don’t think it’s an excuse to be bad, if that makes sense. There’s Maycee (Barber) – she is very young, too. There are a few fighters who are young in the UFC and have done really well. I’m hoping to be that one that isn’t just a hype train.

“I hope to prove that I am that hype, that I can be capable of those abilities. But maybe younger doesn’t have anything to do with it other than the fact that I’m able to go back in, change things and improve, I think, at a faster rate than people who have been on the sport longer. Five years and going strong – I think I’m doing pretty good for that long.”

“I’ve said in a couple of other interviews earlier that Valentina Shevchenko is the one that everybody is trying to get to. I got criticized the first time that I had my debut with the UFC. They were like, ‘Already calling out the champ?” I was like, no I didn’t. I said within two years I want to be able to fight Valentina for that title. I’m still of that mindset, and I’d like to beat her sister (Antonina Shevchenko) first.”

To hear more from Maverick, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.