In the co-main event of UFC 231 this Saturday night, Valentina Shevchenko (15-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will challenge the former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight champion. UFC 231: Holloway vs. Ortega will air live from Toronto, Canada this Saturday, December 8th. The main card will begin on PPV with at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, with the Fox Sports 1 prelims starting at 8:00 p.m. ET and the Fight Pass prelims beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET.
How do these two stack up?
Shevchenko: 30 years old | 5’5” | 67” reach
Jedrzejczyk: 31 years old | 5’6” | 65” reach
What have these two done recently?
Shevchenko: W – Priscila Cachoeira (SUB) | L – Amanda Nunes (DEC) | W -Julianna Pena
Jedrzejczyk: W – Tecia Torres (DEC) | L – Rose Namajunas (DEC) | L – Rose Namajunas (TKO)
How did these two get here?
Starting off the year with a one-sided beatdown of Priscila Cachoeira, this will be Shevchenko’s third scheduled fight for the UFC flyweight title, with previous bouts against Nicco Montano and Sijara Eubanks both being scrapped. Being an undersized bantamweight, the opening of the women’s flyweight last year was perfect for Shevchenko, and it now seems “Bullet” will finally get her chance to secure UFC gold against Jedrzejczyk.
Since losing her UFC strawweight title to Rose Namajunas in November 2017, it has been Jedrzejczyk’s mission to prove she is best strawweight in the world. Losing in her rematch with “Thug Rose” in April, Jedrzejczyk rebounded well by shutting down Tecia Torres in a one-sided win in July. Making her flyweight debut on the night, it’s a huge opportunity for Jedrzejczyk to put on the same type of performance she used to during her reign as strawweight champion.
Why should you care?
Shevchenko will be itching to get her hands on a UFC belt after narrowly missing out on the bantamweight title last year against Nunes, whilst Jedrzejczyk will look to silence the naysayers who have wrote her off after her losses to Namajunas.
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