Valentina Shevchenko Could Move Up To Bantamweight

UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko has not ruled out a move up to bantamweight.

Shevchenko won back her flyweight title after beating Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 in a unanimous decision. It was the perfect response following their previous fight at UFC Noche last year, which ended in a split draw. Mike Bell’s controversial 10-8 scorecard for Grasso in the final round prevented Valentina from getting a victory, as many felt she had done enough to win. It also avenged the defeat to Grasso in the first fight at UFC 285 when Shevchenko lost out via a submission.

After beating Grasso, there were suggestions that Valentina could face Manon Fiorot next. Manon has not fought since beating Erin Blanchfield in March via a unanimous decision. But there is no guarantee that the fight will happen. Valentina was then asked to comment on Julianna Pena beating Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 to win the bantamweight belt. Shevchenko reacted by saying she could move up to the weight class.

Shevchenko Reacts

“You know, I was so busy working on returning my belt back at flyweight, so I didn’t have a chance to think about anything else. I was focusing so much on Alexa [Grasso]. For a year-and-a-half, the only one person I was thinking of was her. I’m not discarding any opportunities. I’m not saying something like, ‘No!’

“But yeah, when I recover from the last fight and we go back and see my team, my manager…we will make the decision,” Shevchenko continued. “Probably for me to go up to bantamweight, it would have to pass some time to build up back my muscles. Spending so long at flyweight, I kind of get smaller. … But if I decide to move up, it has to be right,” Shevchenko said

Who Is Next?

If Valentina were to move up, there are several people she could take on. A fight against Holly Holm is a good introduction to the division. Holm is the former bantamweight champion who is coming off a loss against Kayla Harrison at UFC 300. Holm is at the latter end of her career now that she is 42. They faced off in 2016 when Valentina won. A rematch offers Holm the chance to avenge that loss. There is also the chance to face Irene Aldana. Aldana is known for being a knockout artist, which made her one of the leading contenders in the division.

That makes her a credible opponent against Valentina, who is equally known for being durable. Aldana has had a mixed run of form since losing to the former bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 289 last year. Since then, she has beaten Karol Rosa in her last fight at UFC 296. 
There is also the outside chance of facing Raquel Pennington. If the latter does not end up getting a rematch with Pena, a fight with Valentina could offer the chance to rack up a  big win and put her in contention for the rematch. Either way, Valentina has plenty of options for moving forward.