Joanna Jedrzejczyk has confirmed she’s received an offer from the UFC to move up to 125-pounds and meet Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant women’s flyweight title.

Nicco Montano, the former 125-pound champion, lost the belt after a failed weight cut left her hospitalised on the morning of the UFC 228 weigh-ins. Speculation immediately arose that the UFC would turn to Jedrzejczyk, who has faced Shevchenko on multiple occasions, albeit not under MMA rules.

And, according to former strawweight champion, that speculation was well founded.

“This fight is not on,” Jedrzejczyk said, speaking to media this past weekend in Moscow. “So of course I’ve got an offer, but we’ll see. I’m very open to fight Valentina Shevchenko. I always want to fight the best fighters, and definitely she is one of the top female fighters in the world.”

The decision by the UFC to pair Jedrzejczyk and Shevchenko (should it take place) means Montano is set to be on the outside looking in, with her own future uncertain. Not that you’ll hear much sympathy from the two women fighting for gold in her wake.

“We need real and dedicated fighters and champions in the UFC,” Jedrzejczyk said. The UFC is the best organization in the world. There’s no space and time for bullshit like this. It was a very hard decision, very tough decision.

“I believe she is not happy but you must take this job very serious and you must be 100 percent in. Weight cuts are not easy, are not nice. But it’s part of our job and you shouldn’t complain and you must be on weight when you have to be.”