Valentina Shevchenko’s first fight at flyweight has been booked for UFC Fight Night 125 on February 3rd in Brazil, but she won’t be getting an immediate title shot in the division.
Instead the Russian star will go up against promotional newcomer Priscila Cachoeira, who hails from Brazil and holds a perfect 8-0 record.
The 29-year-old Shevchenko has been hotly tipped as a future champion in the newly created weight class as she’s previously made a big impact in the UFC’s bantamweight division, despite being slightly undersized for that weight class.
The 14-3 ‘Bullet’ lost out twice to 135lb title holder Amanda Nunes, but gave a good account of herself on both occasions and that aside was able to claim victories against former champion Holly Holm, Sarah Kaufman and Julianna Pena.
As such, Shevchenko is more qualified than most to move straight into title contention at 125lbs, but with newly crowned champion Nicco Montano currently sidelined with a broken foot, it looks as if the UFC have decided to keep Shevchenko active in the meantime and give her a chance to establish a foothold in the division.
Shevchenko Vs Cachoeira is one of only a few bouts so far announced for UFC Fight Night 125 and the show has yet to have a confirmed headliner.
