If nothing else, the canceled UFC Vegas 107 Main Event can have simplified things for Valentina Shevchenko.
Although it is not a stacked line -up, the top card on Saturday looked an important as an important in the context of the Women's Flyweight division, which Shevchenko rules for the second time.
Planned for heads were two top five contenders in Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber, both of whom wanted to use their claims for the next shot on 'Bullet'.
But Barber's medical problem has canceled the main event of Blanchfield just a few minutes, which led to a disappointing end of UFC Vegas 107.
However, the potential silver lining is a clearer championship scenario for Shevchenko.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Valentina Shevchenko narrows the options of the opponent to Zhang Weili and Natalia Silva
Shevchenko was present at the UFC Apex on Saturday evening, in the expectation that a rising competition would see their claim in the main event.
Because that is not the case, the Kyrgyz hunter clarified its situation during an appearance on ESPN's UFC Post Show.
The flight weight queen has reduced its options to surpass flight weight candidate Natalia Silva and to rule the champion of the Stromweight Zhang Weili, but did not reveal her preference.
“The performance of Natalia was very good,” said Shevchenko. “Flying weight is now the most exciting weight class … But on the other hand you see the champion, Weili Zhang, strict weight.
“She built her career. She earns so much because they defended all her title,” Shevchenko went on. “Certainly, I feel at this point that she deserves this fight.
“It doesn't happen this fight today. But I could choose like, okay, Natalia Silva, Weili Zhang. Maybe like it in it or Maycee, but they never fought, so …”
Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot on UFC 315 on 10 May. On the same night, Silva climbed to the top of the ladder at 125 pounds by beating former champion Alexa Grasso.
Zhang Weili called Valentina Shevchenko for a UFC Super Fight
Usually the UFC might be easy to put together Shevchenko vs Silva. The Brazilian finally defeated a woman who held the flying weight gold in September 2024 to earn the number 1 ranking of the division.
But the timing is a pity for Silva, who has positioned itself for a first title shot with the same time that the leading name from the weight class below focuses on two-division supremation.
Shortly after the title defense of the flight weight champion in Canada, Zhang Shevchenko called a Conor McGregor-like video on Instagram, which showed the Chinese star while 'Bullet' celebrated her victory.
“Congratulations to the champion,” Zhang wrote in the caption. “Everything is perfectly set up, it's fate.”
It is still to be seen how the UFC and Shevchenko go for its next defense, but anyway, a strict test will wait the legendary flight weight.