Taila Santos' reservations about Valentina Shevchenko fight could grant Erin Blanchfield the next title shot: Dana White

There was a time when MMA fans believed Valentina Shevchenko's invincibility in the flyweight division would never be challenged. There has never been a more exciting time in the flyweight division than right now, thanks to a rising crop of formidable challengers who stand a good chance of dethroning the current champion.

With all that in mind, UFC President Dana White weighed in on the upcoming clash between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso at UFC 285. He also shed light on who between Taila Santos and Erin Blanchfield will be the next challenger for the flyweight throne.

Taila Santos was Valentina Shevchenko's biggest test so far in the women's 125-pound division. The Brazilian was scheduled to face rising contender Erin Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Vegas 69. However, Santos' corner was denied visas which forced her to withdraw from the fight.

Elsewhere, Blanchfield ended up facing Jessica Andrade and proved to everyone why she has all the makings of a future champion. The American submitted Andrade in the second round and called for her shot at the flyweight title next.

Speaking to Robbie Fox, Dana White revealed who the next challenger for the flyweight throne will be:

"She [Taila Santos] doesn't want to come to America right now. We are in a weird spot with her... We'll see how that whole thing plays out. Should Valentina beat Grasso, Blanchfield makes a lot of sense."

White added:

"She [Erin Blanchfield] looked f**king unbelievable, bada**... You saw the way she walked into Apex that night... Like a savage, like a killer. She went right at Andrade, tasted her power and still kept coming forward. That was a gangster as a performance I have seen."

Catch Dana White's comments below:

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Valentina Shevchenko unfazed by Erin Blancfield's dominant victory over Jessica Andrade

Erin Blanchfield impressed everyone with her spectacular second-round submission victory over Jessica Andrade at UFC Vegas 69. MMA fans started lobbying for Blanchfield to be next in line to challenge for the flyweight title.

Blanchfield, meanwhile, asserts that Valentina Shevchenko's grappling is "basic" and that she has superior submission skills. 'Cold Blooded' has appeared confident in her ability to dethrone the long-reigning flyweight queen.

Valentina Shevchenko stated in an interview with James Lynch that Andrade stepped in for Taila Santos on short notice and, thus, may not have been at her best on fight night. According to Shevchenko, if the Brazilian had had more time to prepare, the outcome of the bout would perhaps have been different:

"Frankly, I have huge doubts that Jessica even trained for that fight.... Yes, Erin won [legitimately], she did good but the other question was, 'Was Jessica the same Jessica as she is?'... Erin, she's talking too much right now, using the opportunity to bring her name up and yeah, she's young. She's kind of like 23 years old. This is what she has to do, but I think for the title fight, she's still green... For me, she looks like a little happy puppy."

Check out Valentina Shevchenko's comments below: