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CHICAGO – Jessica Eye knows the odds are stacked against her at UFC 238, and that’s precisely the way she wants it.

After spending most of her life – both professionally and personally – being considered the underdog, Eye (14-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) says she’s fighting UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (16-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) with a chip on her shoulder and an army of people just like her in support.

“This is for the real people that count themselves out,” Eye told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Wednesday’s open workout session ahed of Saturday’s UFC 238. “This is for the people that you call losers. This is for the people you don’t promote. I’m fighting this one for them. This one goes so much because every loser wins someday, and this is that day.”

UFC 238 takes place Saturday at United Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Eye is a massive underdog according to the oddsmakers, who have Shevchenko pegged as a 13-to-1 favorite. But Eye is no stranger to doubters, battling through a four-fight losing streak at bantamweight before the promotion introduced the women’s flyweight division.

Eye has since won three straight to earn her shot at the belt.

“I’d have to say when I return to ’25, that was the hardest fight because I told you guys I could do this, and then I just kept chipping away at this – and I’m going to keep chipping away,” Eye said.

An Eye victory would serve as one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, but the Ohio native believes it’s her destiny. The enormity of the opportunity isn’t lost upon her, and Eye admits it’s been an emotional ride.

“I’m the toughest emotional crybaby you’re ever going to meet,” Eye said. “I cry a lot because it means a lot. I’m emotional a lot because it means a lot. This is just the beginning of the journey.”

Eye believes her journey isn’t just for her, either. She wants to shock the world and make full use of the platform she earns.

“I hope there’s little girls and teenage girls going, ‘I want to be like her,’ and just killing all the odds with everything,” Eye said.

To hear from Eye, check out the video above.

For more on UFC 238, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.