its actually confirmed the highest ranked trainer in the ultra class, can battle the lowest ranked masters 8 opponent.These are good questions. The way they set it up where trainers have to be in the same class to have an official battle makes it difficult to explain. I'm thinking they're going to have to 'retcon' the rules and allow an Ultra Class trainer of a high enough rank (say...15?) to challenge someone in the Master Class, but the Master Class trainer can decline. Flint knowing Ash would, at least, make for a plausible scenario where he would accept his challenge.