Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s newest look at MMA. Every week, this column will offer insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Valentina Shevchenko explores future after dominant UFC 266 win
Valentina Shevchenko pummeled Lauren Murphy last Saturday at UFC 266, forcing yet another opponent to fade away to Bolivia.
The fight officially ended four minutes into the fourth round by TKO, but it was unofficially over in the opening moments. Remarkably, she did not even pick up the slightest bruise, which was serendipitous considering she was in Los Angeles a day after the fight to do promotional work and photos for her new movie, Bruised, which is directed by Halle Berry.