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Tag: Nicco Montano

  • Archives: Shevchenko Says Nicco Montano “Cannot Escape” (2018)

    When it comes to facing Valentina Shevchenko, Nicco Montano did, in fact, “escape,” despite Shevchenko’s vow to the contrary that she wouldn’t. Her alleged ‘getaway’ cost her the flyweight championship, however, and inevitably led to the dominant reign of Shevchenko’s still going strong today.

    The following article is presented in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Four Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 26, 2018, 9:40 AM]

    Author: Ian Carey

    Valentina Shevchenko believes UFC flyweight champion, Nicco Montano, is all out of reasons not to fight her. She is coming for her title.

    29-year-old, Nicco Montano, won the 26th season of the Ultimate Fighter and the UFC women’s flyweight championship in December. She was scheduled to face Sijara Eubanks in the finals of the tournament but a harsh weight cut caused a last-minute opponent change. Loveable MMA veteran, Roxanne Modafferi, was given the opportunity but ultimately dropped a unanimous decision to Montano.

    UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Nicco Montano

    Montano is a Navajo Nation member from the community of Lukachukai. After winning the championship in December, she was honored by the Navajo Nation with a plaque and ceremony at the 23rd Navajo Nation ceremony.

    After winning the title, however, Montano stated that neither Shevchenko nor Paige VanZant (who has also been looking for a title shot at 125lbs) has earned a title fight.

    “I’m definitely not scared because it’s the name of the game. You want to fight the best so that you can prove to everybody else that you are the best, but right now the best is not Shevchenko at ‘25. She hasn’t fought at that weight. It’s not Paige VanZant, she hasn’t fought at that weight either. So I think it’s pretty silly and I’m a person who wants fair fights and so I just don’t think they are deserving of it right now.”

    Valentina Shevchenko

    At the time Montano made the above comments, Shevchenko had not fought at 125lbs in the UFC. That changed on February 3rd, 2018, when she submitted Priscila Cachoeira in her flyweight debut.

    “I did fight at 125, I did my job, I did everything. So she just doesn’t have a reason to decline the fight.” – Valentina Shevchenko

    Shevchenko appeared on the MMA Hour recently and went into further detail regarding a potential bout against Montano.

    “Let’s see how she will act, because no one has heard [anything] about her, she’s not saying [anything] until now,” Shevchenko said. “Let’s see how she responds. But my opinion, if she is holding the belt, she has to defend it. She cannot just escape, and she cannot just find another reason to not fight or fight with another opponent.”

    Originally it was believed Montano was targetting a fight with Sijara Eubanks for her first defence. Eubanks is now scheduled against Lauren Murphy for June 1st, however. It appears the UFC is looking at Shevchenko vs Montano to take place later this year.

    “She’s holding the belt,” Shevchenko said. “This is everything.”

  • Nicco Montaño’s Alleged Assaulter Speaks Out On Accusations

    Justin Watson, the man who allegedly assaulted former UFC flyweight champ Nicco Montaño, has addressed her recent accusations on social media.

    Internet sleuths and fans of Montaño began to investigate as to who Watson was after Montaño called him out by name in a series of posts on her Instagram story. Montaño was hospitalized after an alleged incident at a hotel in Texas, as confirmed by her manager Ricky Kottenstette.

    Watson then addressed the accusations after UFC fans and Reddit users pointed out a ‘Justin Watson’ that was among the accounts that Montaño followed on Instagram. In the comments under a post by MMA Island, the man in question spoke out on the incident.

    “Always two sides to a story y’all and trust me Nicco and the rest of the world should probably sober up,” Watson commented.

    After this comment, he was asked to elaborate by one fan in the thread.

    “Nothing really to explain,” Watson said. “Cops were involved, they investigated, nobody got arrested. It’s terrible that she went to the hospital. My only explanation is there are two sides to a story so don’t get consumed with an assumption or a biased opinion.”

    It’s important to point out that Watson hasn’t been officially charged with anything after the alleged incident and the investigation into what exactly happened is still ongoing.

    Montaño earned the UFC inaugural women’s flyweight title after defeating Roxanne Modafferi on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 26. Montaño was supposed to defend her belt against Valentina Shevchenko but was stripped of the title after missing weight.

    Montaño hasn’t competed since her loss to Julianna Peña at bantamweight in 2019. She is still planning on a potential return to MMA in 2022 at featherweight.

    What are your thoughts on the Nicco Montaño incident?

  • Nicco Montaño Says She Was Viciously Attacked And Injured

    Former inaugural 125-pound champion Nicco Montaño revealed that she was recently a victim of a violent assault and recounted the trauma on Instagram.

    According to Nicco Montaño‘s Instagram stories, which were posted several hours ago on December 1, 2021, the former champion claims she was involved in an altercation with Justin Watson. Montaño maintains Watson is a former NFL player.

    Montaño alleges that Justin Watson stepped on her neck, stomped her face, and kicked her repeatedly. After running away for a moment, Nicco Montaño claims she ran down the hall screaming for her life until Watson began dragging her back by her hair. Following the screams for help, a naked Montaño maintains that a bystander heard her wails and came to her rescue.

    Below are quotes from Montaño’s Instagram stories just hours ago.

    “Tonight Justin Watson stood on my neck and stomped my face in then kept kicking me and shoving my hair into his fist and the corner of the bed frame. I got away for a second to run doown the hall (naked) screaming for my life as he tried to drag me back by my hair. Luckily someone from the hotel heard my screams and came to me rescue. I’m stuck in Texas, not knowing where he is and scared.” Montaño shared.

    “I’m in the hospital and I’m so lucky to have the technique and strength that I have to have defended myself. Montaño said. I’m doing okay everyone. Thanks for the love.”

    Currently, Montaño is safe inside of a hospital having her injuries assessed. MMA reporter Frank Mika shared that he spoke with Montaño’s manager who informed him that Montaño was awaiting x-ray results from the suspected head damage. As of this writing, the plan is for Montaño to travel back to New Mexico.

    “Just got ahold her Nicco’s manager and he says she’s at the hospital getting checked out after some facial x-rays she should be released and on her way back to New Mexico” Frank Mika shared.

    While details are sparse at the moment, if any pertinent pieces of information arise, MMA News will keep you up to date.