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Defending title against Maia
Shevchenko (leg) will defend her flyweight title against Jennifer Maia at an unspecified UFC event, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Maia took down Joanne Calderwood during Round 1 at UFC Vegas 5 on Saturday, and Dana White wasted little time confirming the new title matchup. Calderwood previously lined up to challenge for the belt in June, but the bout was postponed after Shevchenko underwent surgery to address a torn MCL. Shevchenko was targeting a return in late August, so she should be healthy in plenty of time whenever her title defense is scheduled. "Bullet" is expected to be a heavy favorite over Maia given her level of domination over the flyweight division.
Maia took down Joanne Calderwood during Round 1 at UFC Vegas 5 on Saturday, and Dana White wasted little time confirming the new title matchup. Calderwood previously lined up to challenge for the belt in June, but the bout was postponed after Shevchenko underwent surgery to address a torn MCL. Shevchenko was targeting a return in late August, so she should be healthy in plenty of time whenever her title defense is scheduled. "Bullet" is expected to be a heavy favorite over Maia given her level of domination over the flyweight division.
Targeting late-August return
Shevchenko (leg) hopes to rebook her title defense against Joanne Calderwood for late August, MMA Junkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Shevchenko reportedly wants the fight to take place on the "Fight Island" that is currently being constructed by UFC president Dana White. She was originally scheduled to defend her title at UFC 251 in Australia, but an MCL tear caused her to withdraw from the event in late March. She is three weeks removed from surgery to repair the issue, so Shevchenko still has a way to go in her recovery, but there's nothing at this point to suggest the late-August return isn't realistic.
Shevchenko reportedly wants the fight to take place on the "Fight Island" that is currently being constructed by UFC president Dana White. She was originally scheduled to defend her title at UFC 251 in Australia, but an MCL tear caused her to withdraw from the event in late March. She is three weeks removed from surgery to repair the issue, so Shevchenko still has a way to go in her recovery, but there's nothing at this point to suggest the late-August return isn't realistic.
Tending to leg injury
Shevchenko confirmed Tuesday that a leg injury will prevent her from taking on Joanne Calderwood in a flyweight title fight June 6 at UFC 251 in Perth, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Calderwood first broke the news that Shevchenko was forced to withdraw from the event, with the latter providing an explanation on the matter hours later. Shevchenko indicated that he sustained the leg injury while defending her flyweight belt against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247 in February and hasn't fully healed in the weeks following that fight. The 32-year-old hopes to be 100 percent healthy by the end of August, with a matchup with Calderwood likely still awaiting her.
Calderwood first broke the news that Shevchenko was forced to withdraw from the event, with the latter providing an explanation on the matter hours later. Shevchenko indicated that he sustained the leg injury while defending her flyweight belt against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247 in February and hasn't fully healed in the weeks following that fight. The 32-year-old hopes to be 100 percent healthy by the end of August, with a matchup with Calderwood likely still awaiting her.
Title defense postponed by injury
Shevchenko is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is no longer in line to face Joanne Calderwood in a flyweight fight June 6 at UFC 251 in Perth, Danny Segura of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The coronavirus pandemic had already put UFC 251 at risk of postponement, but Shevchenko's existing injury is what will prevent her from defending her flyweight belt in June. Calderwood relayed Tuesday in an Instagram Live session that she's hopeful the fight is rebooked in either July or August, but any new date for the bout will be contingent on Shevchenko's recovery from the injury in addition to the state of the worldwide health crisis. In a later report from ESPN MMA, it was implied that Shevchenko was dealing with a leg injury suffered in her last title defense against Katlyn Chookagian. It's expected to be fully healed for approximately an August rebooking.
The coronavirus pandemic had already put UFC 251 at risk of postponement, but Shevchenko's existing injury is what will prevent her from defending her flyweight belt in June. Calderwood relayed Tuesday in an Instagram Live session that she's hopeful the fight is rebooked in either July or August, but any new date for the bout will be contingent on Shevchenko's recovery from the injury in addition to the state of the worldwide health crisis. In a later report from ESPN MMA, it was implied that Shevchenko was dealing with a leg injury suffered in her last title defense against Katlyn Chookagian. It's expected to be fully healed for approximately an August rebooking.
Next title defense booked
Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Joanne Calderwood at UFC 251 on June 6, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Shevchenko will look to defend her title for the second time since the calendar turned to 2020; she successfully defended her UFC Flyweight Championship earlier in the month by defeating Katlyn Chookagian via TKO at UFC 247 in Houston. Her opponent, Calderwood, is coming off a split-decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC 242 in September.
Shevchenko will look to defend her title for the second time since the calendar turned to 2020; she successfully defended her UFC Flyweight Championship earlier in the month by defeating Katlyn Chookagian via TKO at UFC 247 in Houston. Her opponent, Calderwood, is coming off a split-decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC 242 in September.