Priscila Cachoeira slowly returning to training after Shevchenko loss, hopes to be fit for December fight

Six months after a one-sided loss to Valentina Shevchenko in her Octagon debut, Priscila Cachoeira is slowly returning to the gym.

The Brazilian flyweight had to go under the knife after the first defeat of her professional career in February, a second-round TKO loss in the co-main event of UFC Belem, and her coach Gilliard Parana told MMA Fighting that “Pedrita” is hoping for a late-2018 return.

“‘Pedrita’ is doing great now,” Parana said. “I’ll ask for a fight in December. I’ll just wait for one more month, and if she keeps evolving, doing the right things, I’ll ask for a fight in December. If everything goes right, she will probably fight in December.”

Cachoeira made her UFC debut less than two years after getting her start in professional MMA. With an 8-0 record that included four knockouts on the regional circuit, “Pedrita” was still no match for the next 125-pound title contender.

The PRVT fighter was dominated by Shevchenko from the get-go, especially after injuring her knee in the first exchange. Referee Mario Yamasaki and Parana were heavily criticized for not stopping the bout sooner. The UFC also faced criticism for booking what proved to be a grave mismatch.

Now back to the drawing board after the first loss of her career, Cachoeira is still not yet cleared to fully train in all areas of the game.

“She’s doing grappling positions on the ground, but not rolling yet,” Parana said. “She’s hitting pads but only to move the arms, without moving the legs. And she’s working out in the gym with no problem. I believe she will be cleared to train fighting in a month.”