Dana White: Jessica Eye to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for flyweight title

UFC president Dana White may have lauded Joanne Calderwood’s one-sided win over former KSW champion and promotional newcomer, Ariane Lipski, in the wake of UFC Brooklyn, but concluded Jessica Eye will be Valentina Shevchenko’s first assignment as flyweight champion.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White praised Calderwood’s third win in as many tests in the 125-pound bracket, describing her 15-minute showing as “perfect” in the early hours or Sunday morning.

“Lipski, coming off a nine-fight win streak, a world champion in another organization with tons of hype behind her, we put her in with a crafty, nasty veteran,” said White. “[Calderwood] came out and she looked awesome tonight… ‘Jojo’ looked incredible she fought the perfect fight.”

When asked if the Scot’s performance would be good enough to grant her a crack at Shevchenko’s flyweight crown, White revealed that, as far as he could recall, Eye would be the first person to challenge the newly crowned champion.

“I think we did,” White replied when asked if the UFC had decided who would face Shevchenko in her first flyweight title defense. “Off the top of my head we said we were going to do a fight with Jessica Eye. I think Eye is next… yeah.”