Gallery Jessica Eye def. Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 231: Best photos view 10 images

Jessica Eye has changed her training environment ahead of potentially the biggest fight of her career.

From all indications, Eye (14-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) will be next to challenge Valentina Shevchenko (16-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) for the UFC women’s flyweight title. She’d ideally like to get the shot as soon as April, but said it’s possible she could have to wait as late as June for the champ to be ready.

It will be a different feel for Eye leading up to her encounter with Shevchenko, though, because she will no longer be fighting out of Strong Style, which is her longtime gym in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, that also houses former UFC champ Stipe Miocic.

“I decided to part with Strong Style and open my own gym with a friend,” Eye told MMAjunkie Radio. “It’s been really cool. It’s been really excited. I’m kind of stepping away from everything and trying new things and I’ve found it to be really successful.”

Eye did not provide any further details about her new gym, but her selection of coaches and training partners will likely prove to be among the talking points ahead of her next fight.

After suffering a four-fight losing skid, Eye, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s flyweight rankings, has reinvigorated her career with a drop to the 125-pound division followed by a three-fight winning streak. “Evil” said discussions about fighting No. 1-ranked Shevchenko have been ongoing, but UFC President Dana White’s recent public comments gave it “merit,” she said.

Shevchenko claimed the vacant UFC title in December when she defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk by unanimous decision at UFC 231. “Bullet” is the No. 2-ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter, and dethroning her is sure to be no easy task.

Eye is prepared to conquer the challenge, though.

“It’s going to be fun,” Eye said. “They get to see two, high-level females fight and it’s going to be fun. These are two gritty chicks. I’m pumped to actually fight her. It’s cool to be excited about fighting another talented person. It’s makes solving a problem, a puzzle a lot funner.”

For more on the upcoming UFC schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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