Report: Shevchenko-Eubanks headlines UFC 230
The UFC is apparently going to scrap Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk in order to get UFC 230 its main event.
UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden is only a month away and lacking a main event... until now. (Maybe)
No, it’s not Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz for the 165-pound title (or just a five-round non-title fight). No, it’s not Yoel Romero vs. Alexander Gustafsson or even Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson. No, it’s not Colby Covington against someone else for another interim title. However, we are reportedly getting Valentina Shevchenko headlining for the vacant women’s flyweight title, just not the fight most wanted.
We recently learned that Shevchenko was due to fight former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231, but by moving the date up from December to November, evidently Joanna won’t be ready. Instead, it looks like it’ll be Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks on November 3rd. Seriously. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has the report.
BREAKING: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks for the vacant flyweight tile will headline UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in Madison Square Garden, per multiple sources.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 2, 2018
But wait! There’s a twist to the tale. Despite Dana White calling the fight a “done deal,” it looks as if a “miscommunication” means this matchup isn’t exactly set in stone just yet.
UFC president Dana White tells me Shevchenko, Eubanks is a "done deal" but I've now been told there was a miscommunication between one of the parties and the UFC, and bout agreements have not yet been officially signed. The UFC has offered it but it's not signed. Stay tuned.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 2, 2018
Shevchenko (15-3) was supposed to have fought for the women’s 125 lbs title at UFC 228 last month, but Nicco Montano was hospitalized due to weight cutting difficulties and the fight was cancelled on weigh-ins day. Montano was then stripped of her title, with Dana White announcing Shevchenko would keep her title shot. Her most recent bout was a two-round mauling of Priscila Cachoeira in February.
Eubanks (3-2) was part of The Ultimate Fighter women’s flyweight tournament to determine the inaugural champion, and she made it to the final vs. Montano, but was pulled on the day of the weigh-ins because of kidney failure while cutting weight. She fought Lauren Murphy and won by unanimous decision in June, and was scheduled to face Jessica Eye at UFC 232.
Stay tuned because I’m sure there will be more drama to come out of the UFC’s quest to give the UFC 230 main event to literally anyone other than Poirier and Diaz.
Update: It’s all taken care of.
Per multiple sources, miscommunication issues have been resolved. Shevchenko vs. Eubanks is a go to headline UFC 230.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 2, 2018