Report: UFC targeting Sept. 8 for Montano vs. Shevchenko title fight

The UFC wants Nicco Montano to make her first women's flyweight title defense against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228 on Sept. 8, sources told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

Helwani added one of the two fighters has already signed her fight agreement, but didn't specify which.

Montano beat Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision to earn the inaugural UFC women's flyweight championship belt in the finale of "The Ultimate Fighter 26" last December.

Meanwhile, Shevchenko moved down to flyweight recently following a close loss in a rematch with bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. In her first bout at 125 pounds, Shevchenko dominated Priscila Cachoeira to take a second-round submission victory in February.