LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01: Nicco Montano has her hands wrapped prior to her bout against Roxanne Modafferi during the TUF Finale event inside Park Theater on December 01, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Todd Lussier/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano is ready to prove that the belt will remain around her waist after facing Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228.

Since becoming the inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion by winning the 26th season of The Ultimate Fighter, Nicco Montano has suffered a series of setbacks keeping her from defending her title as quickly as she would have liked.

The most significant injury was to her foot which became a primary focus after winning the title by defeating her friend and short-notice replacement, Roxanne Modafferi.

“I didn’t undergo surgery just because of the amount of time it was going to take,” Montano explained speaking exclusively to FanSided. “I had the boot on for about two months and was like, ‘OK. I can’t baby this anymore,’ I need to hop back on it and jump into another fight.”

While the foot was on the mend throughout training, she was diagnosed with a chronic bacterial infection that ultimately resulted in the removal of her tonsils.

“I haven’t had any time off necessarily,” Montano stated. The road back to the Octagon since winning the title in December has been a long journey, but one she has taken in stride as she flatly stated, “It’s life.”

“It’s not always about the destination, it’s about the journeys and lessons learned through it that ultimately get you to be in that champion’s mindset at the very end,” Montano continued. “I just take what I can get. You know, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I truly believe that.”

Now fully recovered, she is scheduled to face Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228 on September 8 in Dallas, Texas. Experts, oddsmakers, and hard-core mixed martial arts fans all believe that Montano will fall to Shevchenko.

There is a key lesson Montano learned from her fight with Modafferi that she will apply to the upcoming bout with Shevchenko.

“Head movement. It’s easier said than done,” laughed Montano.

She also believes the high pace and constant movement they experienced will also be a benefit.

“I look forward to that pace. I think that’s going to be what’s necessary to win this fight,” she explained. “Not only that, the pressure being able to stuff a lot of the striking range and get in a little bit closer and be able to get my takedowns.”

For Montano, this will be more than just her first title defense. This is an opportunity to prove all of the naysayers wrong who have already written her off.

“I don’t go in there self-sabotaging myself, I don’t go in that Octagon with any doubt in my mind other than I’m going to be the best you can ever be at this moment in time,” Montano started. “That’s what’s gotten me here. I’ve been the underdog throughout this whole process – through the TUF season, and look where I’m at now.”

“I’m not necessarily on a high-horse either,” she continued. “I’ve been staying humble and staying true to these realistic goals – and realistically, I’m the champ.”

“I can definitely, absolutely defend this belt.”

Montano versus Shevchenko is one of two title fights at UFC 228 on September 8 and will serve as the co-main event. UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley will be defending his title against Darren Till in the main event.