Valentina Shevchenko appears to have a date for her first flyweight title defense.
According to ESPN, Shevchenko will face Jessica Eye at UFC 238 in Chicago on June 8 at the United Center. The UFC is reportedly close to finalizing the 125-pound bout.
Shevchenko claimed the vacant title with a five-round verdict against Joanna Jedrzejcyzk at UFC 231 this past December. “Bullet” moved to 125 pounds after a narrow split-decision defeat to Amanda Nunes in a bantamweight championship clash at UFC 215 in September 2017. Shevchenko is 5-2 in UFC competition with notable wins over Holly Holm, Julianna Pena and Sarah Kaufman.
After losing four straight fights at bantamweight, Eye has experienced a resurgence at 125 pounds in the UFC. The 32-year-old Ohioan has earned three straight victories since moving down a division, besting Kalindra Faria, Jessica-Rose Clark and Katlyn Chookagian in succession.