Jasmine Jasudavicius feels the next UFC women's flyweight title shot is very much up for grabs at the moment.
With Valentina Shevchenko out of the picture for the time being, Jasudavicius (15-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) doesn't believe there's a set queue of challengers for newly crowned champion Natalia Silva. Jasudavicius takes on top contender Erin Blanchfield (14-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday's UFC Fight Night 291 (Paramount+) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
This is a big fight for the division, and with a good showing, Jasudavicius believes she could be next.
"I definitely think so," Jasudavicius said at Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 291 media day. "I think the division is super shaken up right now, and anyone having a good performance, they're kind of up next. I believe that everyone else is kind of in the rankings. They've had their shot at the title. I'm next. Come on, I should get the shot after this one."
Shevchenko, who's basically held the title at 125 pounds for the vast majority of the division's history, was forced to vacate her belt due to an injury that could keep her out up to a year. Earlier this month, Silva defeated Wang Cong in a unanimous decision to claim the vacant belt in the main event of UFC 332.
"I think Natalia Silva won, and it's kind of exactly what I expected the fight to be like," Jasudavicius said in reaction to the fight. "I think there were definitely other deserving people that should've had that title shot, but we were all matched up. I do like that the UFC is keeping the division active, and I feel like this just opens everything up, and anyone who shows well in the next little while will be able to get that opportunity."
Silva and Jasudavicius have some history. The Brazilian defeated Jasudavicius in a unanimous decision back in 2022. The bout marked Silva's UFC debut. Jasudavicius would love to run it back with Silva, and she was happy to see her become champion.
"Of course, yeah, definitely," Jasudavicius said. "I definitely wanted her to win because I could see our paths crossing again."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jasmine Jasudavicius: Title shot could come with UFC Edmonton win