UFC 230: This Isn’t The Main Event We Were Looking For

UFC officials caused an uproar Tuesday around the MMA world and especially on social media when they announced the main event for UFC 230.

With fights such as Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman and Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz already on the docket for Madison Square Garden on November 3, the promotion added a title bout.

No, it isn’t one for the debuting 165-pound title between Poirier and Diaz.

Not, it isn’t an interim belt for Rockhold and Weidman to fight over.

No, it isn’t another champion stepping in.

Instead, the UFC is giving us Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks for the vacant female flyweight title. Wait, you might be saying, I thought Shevchenko and Joanna Jedrzejczyk were to meet for that belt at UFC 231 in December?

Joe Rogan had some candid comments about it all:

Well, turns out the UFC really, really, really wants to crown a female flyweight champion as soon as possible.

Needless to say, most are not happy with the decision. The interesting thing, though, is that many who have already sounded off, would have been content – at least they are saying – with the lineup staying as it was before Tuesday with Poirier and Diaz just meeting in a five-round main event.

Heck, personally, I’d have no issues seeing the rematch between Rockhold and Weidman contested over five rounds either.

Just who is Sijara Eubanks? She is a 33-year-old with a career MMA record of 3-2 and is very thankful for the opportunity.

Eubanks was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 26, which was used to crown the first-ever female flyweight champion. She bested Maia Stevenson, DeAnna Bennett and Roxanne Modafferi to advance to the finals, but was pulled after kidney failure while attempting to cut weight to meet Nicco Montano.

This past June, she won her official UFC debut via decision over Lauren Murphy, adding to wins over AmberLynn Orr and Gina Begley. Her two losses have come at the hands of Aspen Ladd and Katlyn Chookagian.

So, there you have it. Shevchenko will not be facing “Joanna Champion” at this time and instead will get Eubanks.

Have fun MSG!

UFC 230 Fight Card

For Vacant UFC Female Flyweight Championship
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks

Middleweight: Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman

Middleweight: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. David Branch

Middleweight: Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa

Lightweight: Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz

Middleweight: Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya

Bantamweight: Lyman Good vs. Sultan Aliev

Bantamweight: Brian Kelleher vs. Domingo Pilarte

Lightweight: Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata

Middleweight: Karl Roberson vs. Jack Marshman

Featherweight: Shane Burgos vs. Kurt Holobaugh

Featherweight: Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes

Featherweight: Jason Knight vs. Jordan Rinaldi