Valentina Shevchenko and Julianna Pena have one thing in common: Each thinks she deserves a title shot.

Shevchenko (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), however, is willing to take another fight to convince UFC brass she’s the No. 1 contender, which is why she was quick to sign on for a fight with Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC 205.

“It’s a very historic moment for fighting, to fight in Madison Square Garden,” Shevchenko recently told MMAjunkie Radio, referring to the UFC’s banner Nov. 12 pay-per-view event in New York City. “If I need to prove one more time to get closer to the title shot, I will fight.”

Pena, the No. 4 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, is in a different place. In a previous interview with MMAjunkie, she said she’s due a fight with ex-champ Ronda Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) or current champ Amanda Nunes (13-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC). Through her management, she recently turned down the Shevchenko fight.

Pena’s longtime coach explained that a fight with Shevchenko was never on the table, and thus there was no bout agreement to sign. And with Rousey’s comeback plans not yet official, he still held out hope for a title shot.

“We don’t believe Ronda is even coming back, and until we see that, why would we sign a bout agreement with anybody else?” Pena coach Rick Little said. “It’s not even open for discussion. Amanda on Twitter said she’d fight us. Amanda made it clear we are the next deserving person for the title.”

It’s true Nunes did welcome the fight. But now, there are strong indications Rousey will return at the end of the year to face Nunes at UFC 207, which takes place Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.

That leaves Pena and Shevchenko with some down time if they want to fight the winner of that bout. Shevchenko is of the mindset that it’s better to stay busy.

“If I need to fight with Julianna at 205, I will do it, but if it’s at (UFC) 206, I will do it again and do my best,” she said. “I’ll show all my skills and more.”

Is there any verbal enticement Shevchenko might offer her would-be opponent with the No. 1 contender spot on the line?

“Not too much,” she said. “Just sign and go fight.”

For more on UFC 205, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM Ch. 93, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.