The UFC is in the process of finalizing a pivotal matchup between two top ten women’s flyweight contenders. Two former title challengers will be going head-to-head as Jennifer Maia (18-7-1) will be taking on Jessica “Evil” Eye (15-9, 1 NC).
MMA Fighting was first to report that the UFC was booking this flyweight matchup. The fight between the two top ten contenders will take place on the July 10th card which is rumored to be the Conor McGregor – Dustin Poirier 3 card.
Jennifer Maia will be making her return after her failed attempt to become flyweight champion at UFC 255. Maia took on the undisputed flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko, and she was one of the biggest betting underdogs in history.
However, early on in the fight, Maia showed that she belonged. While Maia ultimately lost the fight by a wide margin, she dominated Shevchenko in the second round at UFC 255. Considering Shevchenko has looked invincible at 125 pounds, dominating a round against her is extremely impressive.
Prior to that fight, Maia had defeated JoJo Calderwood. Calderwood was actually set to challenge Shevchenko for the UFC title last June. However, a knee injury to Shevchenko pushed the fight back. Calderwood took a fight against Maia instead and Maia finished her in the first round.
UFC moment of truth for Evil Eye
We just saw Jessica Eye back at UFC 257 when she took on JoJo Calderwood. Calderwood was able to outpoint Eye and walk away with the decision victory. The loss dropped Jessica Eye to just 1-3 in her last four fights.
A few years ago, Eye was on the verge of getting cut by the UFC. She had gone 1-5 in the bantamweight division and was a crossroads in her career. That is when she dropped to 125 pounds and won three straight to earn herself a UFC title shot.
Eye was destroyed by Valentina Shevchenko and she really hasn’t been the same sense. At this time last year, Jessica Eye was the top ranked flyweight contender in the UFC. Now, she’s dropped down to eighth. If she loses to Maia on July 10th, it’s going to be quite the mountain to try and climb back to the top.