At UFC 231, the vacant UFC flyweight championship will be contested for. Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk will face Valentina Shevchenko for the strap. The title bout will serve as the pay-per-view’s (PPV) co-main event of the night. While Jedrzejczyk vs. Shevchenko will crown the new champion, the winner might already have a challenger waiting for them.
UFC strawweight and flyweight competitor Paige VanZant will be watching Jedrzejczyk vs. Shevchenko very closely. “PVZ” hasn’t fought since her unanimous decision loss to Jessica-Rose Clark. During the fight, she suffered a broken arm that required surgical repair. However, after complications, she required another surgery. Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, VanZant detailed how frustrating its been for her to watch the division progress while she’s on the sidelines:
“It’s opened up,” VanZant said. “There’s all kinds of crazy stuff going on and it’s really hard for me to watch all these other women be so successful – me being forced to sit on the sidelines is hard.”
In regards to Jedrzejczyk vs. Shevchenko, VanZant said she’s excited to see the match-up, and excited to get back into the Octagon herself:
“I’ve been paying attention,” PVZ said. “I think it’s obviously going to be an amazing fight and I know they have fought in the past. They’ve had three muay Thai fights, and Valentina has won all of them. But this is very different – it’s an MMA fight.
“So I’m excited to watch it as a spectator and a fan, but I’m also going to watch it as a critic and seeing that division open up. I’m excited to see the fight, but more than anything I’m excited to get back in there myself.”
Do you think PVZ could challenge the winner of Jedrzejczyk vs. Shevchenko next?
