Defending champion Zhang Weili granted permission for a rematch by Valentina Shevchenko.
Score a Bonus
The latest UFC 315 witnessed Valentina Shevchenko outclassing Manon Fiorot, yet the next adversary on her radar remains fuzzy. The main event of UFC on ESPN 68 between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber could've provided some clarity, but "The Future" backed out at the final hour, and her title chase took a hit.
Shevchenko speculates that her next adversary might be the women's strawweight champion, Zhang Weili, who she believes is eyeing a move to the new division. In the UFC on ESPN 68 post-fight press conference, she elaborated:
"The lightweight division's a beast, brimming with powerhouses. But Zhang – the title holder with a string of victories under her belt – seems poised for a tussle with the title itself."
It's noteworthy that Weili has racked up five consecutive wins post two defeats at the hands of Rose Namajunas. Shevchenko underscored her intent to recuperate fully after her bout with Fiorot before diving headfirst into the preparations for her next encounter.
(Enrichment Data: Following her triumph at UFC 315 against Manon Fiorot, Valentina Shevchenko has been suggested as potentially facing Zhang Weili or Natalia Silva in her next fight. Zhang Weili, the current UFC strawweight champion, expressed interest in moving up to the flyweight division to lock horns with Shevchenko, hinting at a super-fight between the two champions being on the horizon[2][5]. Meanwhile, Natalia Silva is also a potential rival, as Shevchenko identified her as one of her preferred two opponents[2].)
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Bookmakers may be debating the potential outcome if Valentina Shevchenko faces Zhang Weili in a mixed-martial-arts match, given Shevchenko's recent dominance and Zhang's impressive string of victories in the UFC's strawweight division. The challenge for a super-fight between the two champions is gaining traction, as both are currently eyeing new division titles.
