An interesting twist: Valentina Shevchenko v. Sijara Eubanks set to main event UFC 230

For months, fans have been waiting for the UFC to announce the UFC 230 main event. With each passing day all other cards were getting filled. Tickets even went on sale without anything announced. Now that a match has been made, fans don’t quite know how to feel.

As reported by ESPN, Valentina Shevchenko will face Sijara Eubanks, not Joanna Jędrzejczyk, for the vacant Women’s Flyweight Title inside Madison Square Garden.

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

What a wild ride we have been on just to get to this moment. Recently, Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier have been trying to pressure the UFC into making a 165-pound title, with fans all over rooting the idea on. UFC brass were not keen on the idea, and tried to come up with another plan. With Max Holloway v. Brian Ortega already set for UFC 231, and Jon Jones “not ready” yet, this is what the UFC planned.

So, who exactly is Sijara Eubanks? The 30-year-old Eubanks (3-2) is best known for competing on The Ultimate Fighter 26. She was supposed to face Nicco Montano to become the first-ever Flyweight Champion at the finale. While trying to make weight she suffered from kidney failure, backing out of the bout. If all went according to her plan, she could very well have faced “The Bullet” earlier than November. In her first professional fight outside of TUF, Eubanks defeated Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night 131 in June.

This will be Shevchenko’s (15-3) third attempt at a title fight. She was scheduled to face Montano at UFC 228 in September, but the champion had to back out due to weight cut complications. Some consider “The Bullet” to be the true champion, as experts didn’t give Nicco a chance, and they don’t give Eubanks one as well.

It’s signed!! UFC 230 Nov 3 at the iconic Madison Square Garden for the women’s Flyweight Title! Big thanks @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite for giving me my shot. @AliAbdelaziz00 for being the manager in the game period. @MarkCoachmark13 @ricalmeidabjj @JamalPatterson and the whole team pic.twitter.com/yoxwPYQXI4

— Sijara SarJ Eubanks (@SarJnCharge) October 2, 2018

MMA Twitter was not kind to this fight announcement, more than likely because of what the UFC would not book. One of the most interesting questions is what happened to Joanna? Another one could be why didn’t Katlyn Chookagian, who has more wins under her belt, get the title shot? Many questions are being asked with so few answers being given.

Will this not be well-received come PPV time? Seems like it. Regardless of what fans may think, both fighters will look to make the most out of this opportunity.

UFC 230 takes place on November 3 inside Madison Square Garden. Tickets are available at the MSG box office or Ticketmaster.com.

The current UFC 230 fight card

Valentina Shevchenko v. Sijara Eubanks – Flyweight Title bout

Dustin Poirier v. Nate Diaz – Lightweight bout

Luke Rockhold v. Chris Weidman – Middleweight bout

Ronaldo Souza v. David Branch – Middleweight bout

Derek Brunson v. Israel Adesanya – Middleweight bout

Lyman Good v. Sultan Aliev – Welterweight bout

Brian Kelleher v. Domingo Pilarte – Bantamweight bout

Matt Frevola v. Lando Vannata – Lightweight bout

Karl Roberson v. Jack Marshman – Middleweight bout

Julio Arce v. Sheymon Moraes – Featherweight bout

Shane Burgos v. Kurt Holobaugh – Featherweight bout

Jason Knight v. Jordan Rinaldi – Featherweight bout