Silva opened as the +165 underdog against Shevchenko, who is currently a -190 favorite at BetOnline.ag. The line shifts dramatically for the Grasso fight, with Silva sitting at -300 opposite +250 for the Mexican bruiser. What direction matchmakers take could depend on how quickly Shevchenko recovers from the injury that cost her the 125-pound strap.
“Does she have a lingering injury, yes,” longtime reporter Ariel Helwani said on his recent podcast. “If the UFC would have had another title fight for October 3, would she still be champion, yes. Did she willingly give up that belt, no. Absolutely not. They needed a title fight. They said we’ll do right by you when you come back, you’ll get the title fight.”