UFC 238 fight card primer: Shevchenko vs. Eye

In the co-main event of UFC 238, Valentina Shevchenko will attempt to defend her flyweight title against Jessica Eye. The co-main event of UFC 238 features a flyweight title fight as current champion Valentina Shevchenko (16-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC…

In the co-main event of UFC 238, Valentina Shevchenko will attempt to defend her flyweight title against Jessica Eye.

The co-main event of UFC 238 features a flyweight title fight as current champion Valentina Shevchenko (16-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will attempt to defend her belt for the first time against number-one contender Jessica Eye (14-6 1NC MMA, 4-5 1NC UFC). UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes takes place live from Chicago, Illinois this Saturday, June 8th. The main card airs live on PPV via ESPN+ starting with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, whilst the ESPN prelims kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET and the Fight Pass prelims begin at 6:15 p.m. ET.

How do these two stack up?

Shevchenko: 31 years old | 5’5” | 67” reach
Eye: 32 years old | 5’6” | 66” reach

What have these two done recently?

Shevchenko: W – Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UD) | W – Priscila Cachoeira (SUB) | L – Amanda Nunes (SD)
Eye: W – Kalindra Faria (SD) | W – Jessica-Rose Clark (UD) | W – Katlyn Chookagian (SD)

How did these two get here?

It was a frustrating journey for Valentina Shevchenko on her quest to obtain flyweight gold. After two failed bookings against Nicco Montano and Sijara Eubanks, it was eventually third time lucky for ‘Bullet’ as she fought, and beat, Joanna Jedrzejczyk by unanimous decision to win the vacant flyweight title at UFC 231 last year. There have been doubts over the depth of the women’s flyweight division since it’s opening, but Eye will be a tough test for Shevchenko given her form of late in the UFC.

Suffering four straight losses from 2015-16, Eye has hit a resurgence in her UFC career by making the move up to 125-pounds. Starting with a split decision win over Kalindra Faria, Eye has since won decisions over both Jessica-Rose Clark and Katlyn Chookagian. Her last seven UFC appearances have all gone the distance, however she will need to be on her best if she is to go all five-rounds and take the belt from ‘Bullet’ this Saturday night.

Why should you care?

This women’s title fight is definitely flying under the radar on a stacked UFC 238 card, and Eye’s winning streak means she will be full of confidence coming into a fight with the heavy favorite Shevchenko.