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A budding social media feud between UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Valentina Shevchenko is likely all fun and games.
Or at least Dana White hopes it is.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday after Contender Series (h/t MMA Weekly), the UFC president was asked about the promotion’s men’s flyweight and women’s flyweight titleholders publicly teasing a potential clash in the Octagon and he could only offer an amused and bewildered response.
“That’s the wackiest shit I’ve ever heard in my life,” White said. “It’s just f*cking crazy that he would even say that. But Valentina would probably do it. I don’t even know how to respond to that or what to say other than ‘Wow.’”
The chatter began over the weekend when Cejudo recorded a video in which he talked about Shevchenko being regarded as one of the UFC’s most dominant champions. Shevchenko defended her title on Saturday with a lopsided unanimous decision win over Liz Carmouche in the main event of UFC Uruguay.
The following is a public service announcement for the supposed flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. Signed, Triple C and soon to be The IGC. #bendtheknee @BulletValentina pic.twitter.com/kUQbCnmIWd
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 11, 2019
In the clip, Cejudo says he is “jelly” of Shevchenko’s gold and that he is calling her out so that he can become “the first intergender world champion that this world has ever seen.”
Shevchenko did not shy away from the challenge, warning Cejudo in an interview with ESPN that he should be careful what he wishes for, and then posting a more succinct message on social media:
Looking for @HenryCejudo pic.twitter.com/jA49xBO7P6
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) August 13, 2019
That led to some more back-and-forth between the two flyweight stars.
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I’ll be there right after I finish polishing my gold medal and belts. #intergenderchamp https://t.co/VJI8lO2OLb
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 13, 2019
Ok. I see that. Polish them good then! @HenryCejudo pic.twitter.com/WyPyiDV3mM
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) August 14, 2019
Worlds Most Wanted Man! Valentina’s after me! #intergenderworldchampion pic.twitter.com/jgNJuyzDWM
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 14, 2019
When asked to predict the winner of a hypothetical matchup between Cejudo and Shevchenko, White was again at a loss for words.
“F*ck, I don’t know,” White said. “I can’t even f*cking wrap my brain around that, why he would say that. It’s just crazy, but what are you gonna do?”
Watch White’s full Contender Series post-event scrum below: