The UFC introduced the women’s flyweight division with Season 26 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but after Nicco Montano claimed the inaugural crown, the belt went undefended for nearly a year.
There were a variety of circumstances that led to Montano’s inactivity (she was eventually stripped of the title), but as the newly-crowned champion, Shevchenko vows that things will be different in 2019.
“I don’t care who will be my next opponent. I’m ready for anyone,” Shevchenko said at the UFC 231 post-fight press conference. “This is what I want to do: to defend the belt as much as I can.