<
>

Valentina Shevchenko's third flyweight defense on February UFC PPV

UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has her next assignment.

Shevchenko is scheduled to meet top contender Katlyn Chookagian on Feb. 8, sources told ESPN.

The fight will be a pay-per-view, but it's unclear whether it will be labeled UFC 246 or 247. That decision hinges on whether Conor McGregor returns on Jan. 18. If he does, and talks are still ongoing, the McGregor event will be UFC 246 and the Feb. 8 card will be 247. Houston is currently the front-runner to host the latter event.

Shevchenko (18-3), considered one of the best female fighters in the world, is 4-0 since moving down to 125. She successfully defended her belt twice this year, against Jessica Eye and Liz Carmouche.

Chookagian (13-2) has won five of her past six fights. She earned this shot by defeating Jennifer Maia via decision earlier this month at UFC 244. All eight of her UFC fights (6-2) have come down to a decision.