Report: Valentina Shevchenko Wants To Fight Very Soon

Valentina Shevchenko captured the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title with a unanimous decision win over former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the co-main event of UFC 231.

A report from MMA Junkie, citing Shevchenko’s manager in Roger Allen, is stating that the champion wants to get back into the Octagon as soon as possible.

UFC President Dana White recently stated that #1 ranked Jessica Eye was next in line for a title shot, but Eye doesn’t want to fight until UFC 238 this June. Shevchenko, according to the report, wants to compete sooner than that and could fight somebody other than Eye if the challenger is not ready in time to fill the champ’s request.

Allen also stated to MMA Junkie that Shevchenko had originally wanted to defend the gold against Eye at UFC Fight Night Prague later this month, but Eye turned down the opportunity due to an issue with her teeth, it is unknown if that issue is still affecting Eye at this time. 

No matter when that title defense comes from Shevchenko, it would mark the first time that the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title has been defended.

There has been no comment from either Eye or the UFC on the request made by the women’s flyweight champion.