“In the first moment I knew that I would fight in this weight division,” Shevchenko said in an interview with Cage Side Submissions. Shevchenko, who was always on the smaller side of the bantamweight division feels that this division is hers for the taking, and after the showing at UFC Fight Night Belem, it sure seems to be. Shevchenko had been waiting for the UFC to open the 125-pound division for some time.
“Yeah, she deserves the next title shot, and it’s gonna be ugly for that division with somebody like Shevchenko in it,” Dana White told UFC Tonight on Wednesday evening. With her very impressive win over Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Fight Night Belem, Shevchenko has rocketed herself to the top of the division and has earned herself a title shot according to UFC President Dana White. This has opened opportunities for fighters from other weight classes to move into title contention. With Montanõ injured, the division is in a waiting period. Unfortunately, Eubanks was hospitalized due to weight cutting complications just hours before the fight. Of course, Montanõ was originally slated to face fellow TUF castmate, Sijara Eubanks. That event saw the very first flyweight champion crowned when Nicco Montanõ defeated Roxanne Modafferi. The rankings have been constantly moving since the division opened in December with The Ultimate Fighter season finale. Now that the UFC flyweight division is fully up and running the title picture is beginning to fall into place.
UFC President Dana White announces plans for Valentina Shevchenko to challenge for the flyweight title in her next fight.