Amanda Nunes strengthened an already strong hold on the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division.
The American Top Team star retained her 135-pound title with a split decision over Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC 215 headliner on Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. All three judges scored it 48-47: Sal D’Amato and David Therien for Nunes, Tony Weeks for Shevchenko. Nunes now holds a 2-0 edge in the head-to-head series between the two.
All five rounds were closely contested. Nunes (15-4) paced herself in an attempt to curb the cardio issues that have plagued her in the past.