UFC rising star Katlyn Chookagian says she's gonna whoop Valentina Shevchenko and snatch her belt ... and after that, she's got her eye on Amanda Nunes.
TMZ Sports talked to 31-year-old Chookagian (13-2) last week in NYC ... and the #1 ranked UFC strawweight (125 lbs.) laid out her blueprint for taking over women's MMA.
Step 1 ... beat Shevchenko at UFC 247 this weekend, which would be massive considering Valentina hasn't lost a fight since her war with Nunes in 2017.
"Obviously I'm gonna hear, 'And new!'" KC says.
"No matter where it goes, I'm better than her standing and on the ground. So wherever it goes, I'm gonna be dominant."
Katlyn also says she's down to move up a weight class and fight Amanda Nunes next ... in what could be a chance to be the UFC's next "champ champ."
"The good thing is that I fought at 135 [lbs.]. I fought there before and I won. I feel comfortable."
"125 [lbs.], I feel like a killer, and I feel bigger. But, I fought [at 135 lbs.] before and I'm comfortable there. Win this fight, I would definitely consider going up."
Nunes is widely regarded as the greatest female MMA fighter EVER -- with wins over legends like Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm.
But, Chookagian ain't scared -- saying if Nunes is still the champ, she's down to scrap.
"If I go up to [135 lbs.], it's to fight for the title. Whoever's the champ there, I'm definitely down to fight."