After weeks of discussion and debate as to what bout will headline UFC 230, it looks like the November 3rd card finally has its headliner, and it’s a bit of a surprise…
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto is reporting that multiple sources have informed him that Valentina Shevchenko will battle Sijara Eubanks for the vacant flyweight title in the main event.
The news is drawing mixed reactions, as while Shevchenko is a fairly big name in the sport, Eubanks is still establishing herself in the UFC, after competing on TUF 26. Further, since the UFC started holding events in New York City, it has booked massive bouts for the card’s headliners.
Shevchenko was supposed to fight now former champ, Nicco Montano at UFC 228 last month, but the latter had to withdraw after encountering issues while cutting weight. The UFC proceeded to strip Montano of the belt.
Eubanks was originally supposed to face Montano for the flyweight title last year, but missed weight for the contest, and was replaced by Roxanne Modafferi.
UFC 230 will also feature a lightweight contest between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier. The fighters campaigned for the bout to be a championship fight, for a new, 165 title, but the UFC has not signed onto the idea.