Valentina Shevchenko's idea for Paige VanZant: The 2 of them in UFC flyweight title-eliminator

Paige VanZant raised eyebrows last week – during UFC 217, mind you – when she tweeted that her first fight in the women’s flyweight division would be against the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 26.”

Which, in theory, that would mean VanZant claimed she was granted an immediate title shot, since “TUF 26” is crowning the inaugural 125-pound women’s champion, which the UFC denied.

Collectively, the MMA community’s reaction was probably something along the lines of this Nicolas Cage GIF:

via GIPHY

Because, c’mon, VanZant (7-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) hasn’t exactly performed at a championship level of late. She hasn’t fought since December of last year – when she was choked out by Michelle Waterson – and is 1-2 in her last three fights. An immediate title shot in a new division? It doesn’t seem right.

But clearly VanZant sees opportunity with the creation of the flyweight divison. And where VanZant sees opportunity so does Valentina Shevchenko.

Following her bantamweight title loss to Amanda Nunes in a narrow headliner at UFC 215, Shevchenko (14-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) announced her intention to drop to flyweight. And on Thursday night, “Bullet” had an idea that she shared on Twitter:

Now there’s an idea.

Given their credentials, Shevchenko clearly would deserve an immediate title shot before VanZant does. But seeing as how Shevchenko isn’t even asking for it and instead would rather earn it in a title eliminator against VanZant, what’s the holdup?

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