EXCLUSIVE | Valentina Shevchenko challenges Paige VanZant to fight in January

Former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko has issued a challenge to Paige Vanzant!

“The Bullet” recently announced her intentions to drop down to the UFC’s new women’s flyweight division, this following her controversial split-decision loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215 in September.

As for Paige VanZant, the popular former strawweight fighter recently announced that she would be making her 125-pound debut in a title fight against this seasons TUF 26 tournament winner.

My next fight is against the winner of the 125 division Ultimate Fighter. Don’t blink.

— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) November 5, 2017

“My next fight is against the winner of the 125 division Ultimate Fighter. Don’t blink.” – Paige VanZant

Tonight, “The Bullet” replied to VanZant’s infamous tweet suggesting that PVZ “not rush” and instead fight her first.

Don't rush girl.
If you want a title fight, first fight me. #125 #UFC #Letsdoit #dontblink @Mickmaynard2 @seanshelby @danawhite https://t.co/1ZFJCoNswV

— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) November 10, 2017

“Don’t rush girl. If you want a title fight, first fight me. #125 #UFC #Letsdoit #dontblink @Mickmaynard2 @seanshelby @danawhite” – Valentina Shevchenko

“PVZ” was most recently seen in action in December of 2016 where she suffered a first-round submission loss to Michelle Waterson in the main event of UFC on FOX 22.

Prior to the setback, Paige had scored an amazing head kick knockout victory over Bec Rawlings at UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver, Canada.

Meanwhile, Valentina Shevchenko has gone 7-2 over her past nine fights with both losses in that time coming to current bantamweight title holder Amanda Nunes.

Prior to falling short in her title fight with “The Lioness” at UFC 215, Shevchenko was coming off a submission victory (armbar) over Julianna Pena this past January in Denver.

BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor spoke with Shevchenko’s management just moments and was told that Valentina hopes to fight Paige VanZant in mid to late January.

“January sounds like a good month,” said Shevchenko’s manager. “Mid to late January.”

The UFC will head to St. Louis on Sunday January 14 for UFC Fight Night 124. The following weekend the octagon will return to “Beantown” for the UFC 220 pay-per-view event in Boston on January 20.

Would you like to see the UFC match up Valentina Shevchenko and Paige VanZant? Who do you think would win? Sound off PENN Nation!