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Carmouche: Valentina Shevchenko 'hasn't evolved very much'

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC / UFC / Getty

Liz Carmouche holds a win over current UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and doesn't envision a different fighter in their rematch on Aug. 10.

"She looks (like) exactly the same fighter to me," Carmouche told theScore. "Honestly, like she’s stuck to a game plan that she feels has worked for her. She hasn’t evolved very much. Whereas for me, I look day and night compared to the fighter I used to be."

Carmouche (13-6) defeated Shevchenko on the regional scene in September 2010 via TKO (doctor stoppage). Since then, Carmouche has fought the likes of Ronda Rousey, current strawweight champion Jessica Andrade, and top flyweight contender Katlyn Chookagian.

Shevchenko (17-3) is set to defend her flyweight title for a second time after knocking out Jessica Eye with a head kick at UFC 238 in June. The 31-year-old has won five of her last six fights. Regardless, Carmouche sees her hand being raised in one of a variety of ways.

"I see the main thing being my hands in the air with that belt around my waist," Carmouche said. "I’ve seen all the different outcomes. I’m one of those people I don’t like to stick to the idea of, 'I’m just going to get a knockout' or 'I’m just going to get this' or 'I'm just going to get that.' Because I think, ultimately, that sets you up for failure if it doesn’t happen. ... I like to play every possibility, but every possibility is my hand in the air."

UFC Fight Night 156 takes place at Antel Arena in Montevideo, Uruguay on Aug. 10. Watch the full interview with Carmouche below and subscribe to theScore's MMA Youtube channel here.

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