Taila Santos believes she will have the advantage on the ground when she challenges Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275 in Singapore on June 11. But the UFC flyweight champion has heard it all before. The pair answered questions from the media, including the Post , during a virtual press conference on Zoom this week, and Brazilian challenger Santos (19-1) was adamant she can “be the one” to dethrone the seemingly unstoppable Shevchenko. “I think taking this fight to the ground is the key,” 28-year-old Santos said. “I think Valentina is strong in striking, but if we take it down, I believe I can overcome her. “Valentina is a tough fighter, very experienced, and very intelligent in her striking. But I come from the strength of being on the ground. I also come from Muay Thai, so I feel comfortable about my striking, but the best strategy is to take it down to the ground, because I do feel I have advantages.” Those remarks drew a smile from the Kyrgyzstani “Bullet” (22-3), who is seeking her seventh straight title defence at Singapore Indoor Stadium. UFC: Joanna warns Esparza ‘history makes a circle – soon I’ll be champ’ “It’s the same response for all my other opponents,” 34-year-old Shevchenko said. “Some think they have better striking, others think they have better wrestling, but the Octagon shows they are wrong. “This is the most exciting part of these contests, to see the frustration on someone’s face when they understand they’re not better. “But that’s fine. I don’t have any issues to fight on the ground, to stand up, to wrestle, whatever. Being the champion requires lot of abilities. You can’t be a one-sided fighter. I don’t know if it’s a tactic [from Santos], if this is what she’s really thinking to do, but whatever, it’s good.” Shevchenko is certainly not underestimating her latest challenger, who is on a four-fight win streak in the UFC. “I think she’s a very strong fighter, she has a lot of physical power and everything,” the champion said. “Fighting for the title requires her to be the best from the other girls behind her. “That’s why always I’m preparing my best, 100 per cent, for every defence. I respect all my contenders, all my opponents, and this makes me not underestimate their skills.” Shevchenko has swatted aside every pretender to her throne since becoming the division’s inaugural champ in December 2018, with emphatic wins over Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade, and Lauren Murphy. But Santos believes her time has come after years spent awaiting this opportunity. “I’ve always trained thinking about the champion and preparing myself for this fight,” Santos said. “Now we had to adjust the strategy and the specific points, because the moment has arrived. “This camp has focused on strategy to fine-tune everything that has been done in the past to fight for this belt.”